The Palaszczuk Government has installed additional drumlines off Townsville region beaches in a bid to reduce the risk of shark attacks.
In the wake of the Federal Government's failure to legislate for a workable shark control program in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the State Government is acting on new advice that shows traditional catch-and-remove drumlines can be placed in new areas near the marine park's boundaries.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said 32 extra drumlines have gone into state marine park waters at Cairns, Magnetic Island and Gladstone.
"This takes the number of drumlines in near the boundaries of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park from 54 to 86 – around half of what was originally permitted within the park," Mr Furner said.
Drumlines have now been deployed by contractors at the following location in Townsville:
- Magnetic Island
- Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island – 12 drumlines
Member Townsville Scott Stewart said with summer less than six weeks away, these additional drumlines will give swimmers in North Queensland extra protection.
"We've had to suspend the shark control program in the Great Barrier Reef Marine park because we cannot safely comply with the AAT's orders to catch-and-release sharks,' Mr Stewart said.
"Those orders affected the permit granted under Federal legislation to operate our catch-and-remove shark control program.
"Catching and releasing sharks will not make our beaches safer – it will simply shift the problem from one tourist hotspot to another.
"That is a federal park, governed by federal laws and only the federal government can change the legislation to allow our program back in.
"In the meantime, these additional drumlines are being installed in state marine park waters to provide the people of north Queensland more protection.
"This move follow stingers nets being reinstalled in popular swimming beaches along the coast.
Stinger nets protect swimmers against box jelly fish, but only drumlines will help reduce the risk of shark attacks."
The Queensland Government has committed $1 million per year to trialling new and emerging technologies for swimmer safety, however Mr Furner said inferior technology or implementing catch and release programs against the best available advice will not replace a program that has operated successfully since 1962.
The original permit for the shark control program in the Great Barrier Reef was a joint permit and applied to both state and Commonwealth marine parks.
The Queensland Government has now issued a standalone permit for the State marine park area, which will allow for the traditional shark control program to continue in those areas.
The Federal Government has refused to change its legislation to permit a catch-and-remove shark control program to be reinstated within the marine park, despite expert reports by Cardno and Biopixel that demonstrate that a catch-and-release program would not be effective within its boundaries.
Be Safe. Be SharkSmart
- Don't swim at dawn or dusk
- Always swim in clear water (not in murky water, anchorages, estuary mouths or canals)
- Don't throw food scraps or fish waste overboard
- Don't swim where fish are being cleaned
- Swim, surf, snorkel or dive with a buddy
- Follow local signage and swim between the flags at patrolled beaches.
