The Crisafulli Government will spend $88 million over four years to expand shark control measures, including shark nets, drumlines and drone surveillance at Queensland beaches.
Seven beaches identified as candidates for drumlines or nets include Pacific Beach and The Spit on the Gold Coast, Happy Valley, Coolum North and Peregian North on the Sunshine Coast and Elliott Heads and Moore Park in Wide Bay.
The plan expands research into shark populations, including into the impact of the Shark Control Program on target shark species.
Minister for Primary Industries, Tony Perrett, mentioned beachgoers, fishers and ‘anyone who values the state’s $33 billion tourism industry’ as benefitting from the shark control program.
‘More beaches will have more protections in place, there will be more money spent on new technologies and innovation and more investment in research,’ Minister Perrett said.
Animal welfare concerns
Humane World for Animals said the plan to increase lethal drumlines and nets was a retrograde step that would not improve safety for beachgoers.
‘Scientists have long ruled out culling sharks as an effective public safety measure,’ said Humane World for Animals marine biologist, Lawrence Chlebck.
‘We know Queensland’s fishing industry lobbied the Crisafulli Government over sharks stealing their fish.’
Minister Perrett said qualified experts in marine fields were consulted for the KPMG Shark Control Program Evaluation Report which prioritised human safety and had been accepted by the Crisafulli Government.
The report found shark control equipment, such as drumlines and nets, were likely to have contributed to substantially lower shark attacks.
Impossible to shark-proof beaches
University of Sydney Associate Professor of Public Policy and author of the 2019 book Flaws: Shark Bites and Emotional Public Policymaking, Chris Pepin-Neff, said Queenslanders knew you could not shark-proof Australia.
‘For 18 years, I have studied policy responses to shark bites and there is one truth: when you are in the ocean, government policies do not go swimming with you.’
‘Today’s policy decision makes politicians more safe and Queensland beaches less safe by taking the focus off the personal responsibility and education in beach safety,’ he said.
Humane World for Animals said 1,639 animals were caught in the shark control program in 2024, including 22 whales and dolphins, 37 turtles and 46 rays. More than 980 were killed.
Mr Chlebck said: ‘Queensland has one of the most beautiful marine environments in the world. It needs to be protected and that means everything in it.’
‘If the Queensland Government is serious about public safety, they would look at the science and invest in the modern alternatives that are proven to work.’
Minister Perrett said the shark control program would protect swimmers, the ocean and the tourism industry.
“We’re striking the right balance between ensuring swimmer safety and maintaining a healthy marine environment and upholding Queensland’s international tourism reputation as a safe place to enjoy some of the best beaches in the world,’ Minister Perrett said.
The Guardian reported that marine science professor, shark expert and member of the Queensland Government’s scientific working group, Colin Simpfendorfer handed in his resignation from the group to Minister Perrett after the shark cull was expanded.
Other members of the working group told The Guardian the government’s expansion of its lethal control program went against their advice.
More information about the Queensland Shark Management Plan or the Shark Control Program can be found here.
Shark IMAGE at top of story: Gerald Schombs
