Qld Govt’s ‘Jaws soundtrack masquerading as policy’

The State Government has been accused of a Jaws soundtrack masquerading as policy, as the political war of words continues over Queensland’s controversial shark drum line removal.

FISHERIES Minister Mark Furner has claimed he wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley should a shark attack occur in the Great Barrier Reef, amid concerns the drum lines debacle is turning into a political war.

The State Government finished dropping 17 new drum lines across north and central Queensland yesterday after pulling 160 from within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

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When asked whether the Government would take responsibility should an attack occur over the next 12 months at any of the now-unprotected 27 beaches, Mr Furner said “I wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of the federal Environment Minister if that occurs.”

State Opposition environment spokesman David Crisafulli yesterday slammed the Government, calling for an end to “this Jaws soundtrack masquerading as government policy”.

“What we’re seeing at the moment is government policy on the run, and that’s not good for anyone,” he said.

“Some of these comments have reached silly point and it’s got to stop, because this isn’t a political war, this is finding a midway point to deal with a set of circumstances that nobody wanted to see.”

This tiger shark was said to have been filmed hooked to a drum line off the coast of Magnetic Island in Queensland this month. Picture: Humane Society International.

Mr Crisafulli reiterated the party’s push for smart drum lines.

“Yes that costs a bit of money, yes it’s inconvenient, but it’s a hell of a lot better than the flipside, and that is tarnishing your tourism reputation and keeping people less safe than they were a week ago,” he said.

Ms Ley this week accused the State Government of choosing “public alarm over personal safety”.

It come after the Federal Court last week upheld an Administrative Appeals Tribunal ruling that essentially required the State Government to abide by a catch and release program.

However the Government pulled the drum lines as its staff were not trained to handle various live sharks.

A tiger shark is retrieved from Cid Harbour after being caught in the drum lines following two attacks.

Mr Furner yesterday urged people to not swim with animals, to not swim at dawn or dusk, to not swim alone and to swim within patrolled beach environments.

How drum line debacle unfolded

■ Was the State Government legally required to remove drum lines from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority?

No. However, the State Government pulled the drum lines because it could not abide by a catch-and-release program as its officers were not trained to handle various live, dangerous sharks.

■ What needs to happen for the drum lines to go back in the water?

The State Government has asked the Federal Government to legislate so it can continue its shark-control program. The Federal Government is considering introducing legislation, however, there is no time frame.

■ Were the drum lines working?

The Federal Court ruled there was no evidence that killing the animals protected swimmers. But Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said the proof was there had been only one death since the drum lines were rolled out in 1962.

■ Could drum lines also be removed from beaches that are outside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority?

Humane Society International has said the court ruling set a precedent. It has not ruled out other legal challenges, but has no current plans.

■ What are smart drum lines and would they help?

A smart drum line has a GPS tracker on it to alert authorities when a shark is caught. The technology has been successfully trialled in other states.

The LNP is urging the Government to consider them, but Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said they were not appropriate because releasing sharks was too dangerous.