Shark drumlines: Catch-and-release solution could be used in more Qld regions after positive trial results

Catch-and-release shark drumlines could be rolled out in new locations along the Queensland coast following positive results from an existing trial that saw more than three times the number of sharks caught being released compared to older methods.

Catch-and-release shark drumlines could be rolled out in new locations in the state’s north and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, with Fisheries Queensland in talks with local councils.

Moves to extend the program come after 62 sharks were caught on smart drumlines in the 10 months to June 30 this year as part of the existing trial being run on the Capricorn Coast – with 75.8 per cent of the animals released alive.

This was much more than the 21.3 per cent of sharks that were released from the traditional drumlines over the same period, after they nabbed 117 sharks.

The trial of smart drumlines has been under way since September last year at four beaches on the Capricorn Coast.

It involves a satellite-linked GPS unit being attached to a baited hook, which alerts ­authorities when a shark is caught so they can be tagged and released.

The trial was recently extended through to January next year and came after the Queensland government initially resisted calls to move away from lethal drumlines, despite the Federal Court finding they did not reduce the risk of shark attacks.

Drumlines and baited hooks divide views.

Fisheries Queensland had previously flagged that the catch-alert drumlines could be trialled in other locations of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, pending the outcomes of the initial trial.

Fisheries Minister Mark Furner confirmed that Fisheries Queensland was working with local governments to ­determine “preferred trial locations” in the state’s north and in the marine park.

If a decision is made to deploy the catch-alert drumlines to new areas, they are unlikely to be rolled out until next year once an evaluation of the initial trial is finished.

“Fisheries Queensland is consulting with the Shark Control Program scientific working group on the pre­liminary results of the catch alert drumline trial,” Mr Furner said.

“The catch-alert trial will be subject to an evaluation process early in 2023, which will allow for a year’s worth of data to be considered to inform ­future management decisions,” he said.

Cairns, Townsville and Mackay are among the locations in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park that Fisheries Queensland had previously indicated they could trial lines.

SMART drumlines comprise of an anchor and rope, two buoys, and a satellite-linked communications unit which is attached to a trace and baited hook They allow sharks to be tagged, relocated, and released alive.

The catch-alert drumlines have a satellite-linked GPS communications unit, which sends a real-time alert, allowing crews to rapidly respond to captured animals.

Since the trial began, there have been 24 bull sharks caught on the smart drumlines with 20 released alive while all six of the tiger sharks that have been caught have been released.

There were also two sea turtles caught on smart drumlines that were released alive.

Mr Furner recommended swimmers follow “SharkSmart advice”, including swimming at patrolled beaches, and at beaches that have shark control equipment.