Queensland Government Announces Historic $88 Million Investment in Shark Control Measures
The new funding aims to enhance swimmer safety through traditional and innovative technologies amidst legal concerns and environmental criticism.
The Queensland government has committed $88.228 million to its Shark Control Management Plan for the years 2025-2029, marking the largest investment in the program's history.
This initiative seeks to bolster beach safety with a combination of traditional methods and new technological approaches.
The funding will support the deployment of shark nets and drumlines alongside advanced solutions such as drone surveillance and whale-deterrent measures, starting in July this year and continuing with regular maintenance.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett emphasized the importance of enhancing safety to protect swimmers and maintain Queensland's reputation as a premier tourism destination.
Perrett stated that the program will include increased servicing of shark control equipment 365 days per year, weather permitting.
The initiative comes in response to two recent fatalities related to shark encounters: the death of school chaplain Luke Walford while spearfishing at Humpy Island and a severe shark-related injury to 17-year-old surf life-saver Charlize Zmuda at Bribie Island.
In announcing the funding, the minister expressed confidence in the scientific basis for the investment, despite criticism from conservation groups such as Sea Shepherd Australia.
The organization described the plan as a "dangerous escalation" of existing practices, cautioning against its potential environmental impact.
The government claims its program modifications are supported by evaluations from marine experts, noting that such control measures have likely contributed to reduced shark attacks in areas where they are implemented.
However, Sea Shepherd Australia's Jonathan Clark raised concerns that the new deployment of shark nets and drumlines could harm numerous marine species and possibly increase risks to swimmers by attracting sharks closer to shore.
Clark highlighted that the implementation of these measures could potentially contravene the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. He referenced Section 43B(3), which stipulates that any significant expansion of existing programs may be deemed illegal.
He indicated that while legal action has yet to be considered, it remains an option as the program unfolds.
The investment reflects a push to balance swimmer safety with the preservation of marine ecosystems, which are crucial to Queensland's $33 billion tourism industry.
The government is currently assessing specific shark species and the ecological impact of its control measures as part of the ongoing evaluation of the plan.
With the program set for a significant expansion, the government has identified potential beaches for traditional shark control measures, including:
Gold Coast: Pacific Beach (shark nets and drumlines), The Spit (drumlines)
Sunshine Coast: Happy Valley (drumlines), Coolum North (shark nets and drumlines), Peregian North (shark nets and drumlines)
Wide Bay: Elliott Heads (drumlines), Moore Park (drumlines)
In addition to these, the drone program slated for expanded rollout in 2025-2026 has earmarked six locations, including:
Gold Coast: Rainbow Bay/Greenmount
North Stradbroke Island: Cylinder Beach
Sunshine Coast: Mooloolaba
Moreton Bay: Tangalooma
Bundaberg: Elliott Heads and/or Moore Park
Agnes Water: Agnes Water Main Beach
The Queensland government plans to engage in further detailed assessments of these areas, incorporating input from stakeholders, scientific experts, and local communities.
This initiative seeks to bolster beach safety with a combination of traditional methods and new technological approaches.
The funding will support the deployment of shark nets and drumlines alongside advanced solutions such as drone surveillance and whale-deterrent measures, starting in July this year and continuing with regular maintenance.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett emphasized the importance of enhancing safety to protect swimmers and maintain Queensland's reputation as a premier tourism destination.
Perrett stated that the program will include increased servicing of shark control equipment 365 days per year, weather permitting.
The initiative comes in response to two recent fatalities related to shark encounters: the death of school chaplain Luke Walford while spearfishing at Humpy Island and a severe shark-related injury to 17-year-old surf life-saver Charlize Zmuda at Bribie Island.
In announcing the funding, the minister expressed confidence in the scientific basis for the investment, despite criticism from conservation groups such as Sea Shepherd Australia.
The organization described the plan as a "dangerous escalation" of existing practices, cautioning against its potential environmental impact.
The government claims its program modifications are supported by evaluations from marine experts, noting that such control measures have likely contributed to reduced shark attacks in areas where they are implemented.
However, Sea Shepherd Australia's Jonathan Clark raised concerns that the new deployment of shark nets and drumlines could harm numerous marine species and possibly increase risks to swimmers by attracting sharks closer to shore.
Clark highlighted that the implementation of these measures could potentially contravene the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. He referenced Section 43B(3), which stipulates that any significant expansion of existing programs may be deemed illegal.
He indicated that while legal action has yet to be considered, it remains an option as the program unfolds.
The investment reflects a push to balance swimmer safety with the preservation of marine ecosystems, which are crucial to Queensland's $33 billion tourism industry.
The government is currently assessing specific shark species and the ecological impact of its control measures as part of the ongoing evaluation of the plan.
With the program set for a significant expansion, the government has identified potential beaches for traditional shark control measures, including:
Gold Coast: Pacific Beach (shark nets and drumlines), The Spit (drumlines)
Sunshine Coast: Happy Valley (drumlines), Coolum North (shark nets and drumlines), Peregian North (shark nets and drumlines)
Wide Bay: Elliott Heads (drumlines), Moore Park (drumlines)
In addition to these, the drone program slated for expanded rollout in 2025-2026 has earmarked six locations, including:
Gold Coast: Rainbow Bay/Greenmount
North Stradbroke Island: Cylinder Beach
Sunshine Coast: Mooloolaba
Moreton Bay: Tangalooma
Bundaberg: Elliott Heads and/or Moore Park
Agnes Water: Agnes Water Main Beach
The Queensland government plans to engage in further detailed assessments of these areas, incorporating input from stakeholders, scientific experts, and local communities.
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