Number of sharks caught in state’s shark control program revealed

Dozens of sharks have been caught in nets or by drumlines off the Queensland coast since June, including a great white in the area where a Gold Coast surfer was killed last September.

Dozens of sharks have been caught by nets or drumlines off the Queensland coast since the start of the annual whale migration last month.

The migration season, which typically runs from June to October, is a lightning rod for debate over the shark nets which have protected Queensland beaches since the 1960s.

Last-minute backflip on pulling out shark nets for whale season

Shark attack: Nick Slater death leads to discussion on effectiveness of nets

The State government was last year just hours from announcing a trial replacing nets with other safety measures such as aerial surveillance during the winter whale season before going cold on the proposal.

The Queensland shark control program’s scientific working group had recommended the replacement of some shark nets with drum lines and other measures.

Gold Coast surfer Nick Slater was taken by a great white shark at Greenmount Beach in September and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said the proposal to remove nets was no longer on the agenda.

It comes as new data reveals 35 sharks, including two great whites and 19 tiger sharks, have been caught by the shark control program off Queensland beaches since the start of June.

Most were caught on baited drumlines, but several, including both three-metre white pointers, were caught in nets.

A great white shark. Picture: Jim Cresswell (Tourism SA)

One of the great whites was caught at Coolangatta, near where Mr Slater was taken during a late afternoon surf.

The shark caught in the nets was smaller than the one involved in last year’s fatal attack, the first in almost 60 years off a beach protected by the shark control program.

Nineteen other marine animals were caught in nets or on hooks during June.

Mr Furner said human safety remained the top priority.

Gold Coast real estate agent Nick Slater was killed by a great white at Greenmount Beach last year.

“(We) will always put human life and human safety first with the shark control program,” he said.

“That’s why we are investing $1m per year on innovation and improvements to the shark control program.

“The Government has no plan to remove shark control nets or drumlines from state controlled waters.”

July is the peak month for the northern migration, with an estimated 300 whales a day travelling up the coast to spend the winter in the tropical waters of north Queensland.

More whales are traditionally tangled in nets during the return journey in August and September.

Other marine creatures are often caught in shark nets. Picture: Sea Shepherd

Sea World saves many of the whales caught in nets and the park’s head of marine science, Wayne Phillips, said rescuers were ready to step up again this season.

“We understand the pressure the government is under with the shark control programs and we are working with them to look at the programs in place,” he said.

“While there are alternatives to the current programs including SMART Drumlines and drone surveillance, the necessary research and studies must be undertaken to ensure these alternatives will work for both bather and wildlife safety.”