- Expanding Queensland's shark cull is outdated, unscientific and does nothing to improve beach safety.
- Peer reviewed research and court findings have concluded that lethal drumlines and nets don't reduce shark bites – modern solutions like drones and real-time shark tracking do.
- It's 2025, not 1925 – the Queensland Government must abandon culling and adopt modern, non-lethal, evidence-based safety measures that protect both people and wildlife.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) has slammed the Queensland Government's announcement to expand its outdated shark culling program, calling it a dangerous step backwards for beach safety and marine conservation.
The move is at odds with the Queensland Government's own commitments to make decisions based on peer reviewed science, and comes despite overwhelming evidence that lethal drumlines and shark nets do not reduce the risk of shark bites.
Dr Leonardo Guida, shark scientist at AMCS said, "This is 2025, not 1925. Expanding a 63 year old marine cull flies in the face of modern science and common sense.
"Shark culling is not only ineffective – it's a distraction from real solutions that actually improves people's safety.
"Peer-reviewed scientific evidence has shown no difference in shark bite rates between netted vs un-netted beaches. Even a 2019 Federal Court ruling concluded that the scientific evidence against the Queensland Government's shark culling was "overwhelming''
"If the Queensland Government is serious about bather safety, it shouldn't be wasting resources doubling down on a scientifically discredited cull, and should be fully investing in modern, non-lethal measures, like real-time shark tracking, drones and public education programs."
Since 2006, there have been three fatal shark bites at beaches where lethal drumlines and nets are in place (2006, and 2020 and 2025), further undermining claims that culling keeps people safe.
Dr Guida, also a keen diver, added: "As someone who loves the ocean, I find this decision deeply troubling. This isn't public safety, it's political theatre."
Culling has been in place in Queensland since 1962. AMCS argues it's time to bring beach safety into the 21st century.
"We don't accept 63 year old safety standards in our homes, schools or workplaces – so why should our beaches be any different?"
AMCS is calling for the Queensland Government to abandon the cull and commit to a fully non-lethal shark control program that protects both people and marine wildlife.
