Tourism industry wants shark control program to continue
The tourism industry has demanded the Palaszczuk Government find a way to continue its shark control program in the Great Barrier Reef following its shock suspension last night.
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THE tourism industry has demanded the Palaszczuk Government find a way to continue its shark control program in the Great Barrier Reef following its shock suspension last night.
More than 170 drum lines will be dehooked in areas including Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Gladstone — leaving swimmers unprotected — after the state decided it did not have the technology to abide new restrictions applied by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
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In a win for environmentalists on Tuesday, the tribunal ordered tiger, bull and white sharks caught on drumlines be tagged and released within 24 hours, and only killed if they were unlikely to survive.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief Daniel Gschwind said the Government had to reassure visitors that they were still safe visiting the state’s tourism jewel.
“They didn’t really have to pull the drumlines out, this ruling says,” he said.
“I think we have to dial back the fears that anybody might have that people are being put at jeopardy.”
He said he was sure the state and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority could come up with a way to work within the ruling and still operate the shark control program.
“I think what we need is a sensible fact-based discussion with the state agency that is administering this program and the GBRMPA,” Mr Gschwind said.
“Sensible heads will find sensible solutions and there’s no need to worry any would-be visitors.
“There must be some solution.
“If there are other measures that need to be taken then so be it.”
In the meantime, he urged the state to launch an education program reassuring swimmers their risk of attack was extremely low.
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