Revealed: Where councils stand on shark net removal plan
One Queensland council says shark nets should be removed during whale migration, while another council does not have a formal stance and a third might throw some funds at shark net alternatives.
After several entanglements of whales in shark nets off the Queensland coast during the migration season this year, the Noosa council threw its support behind finding alternatives but another has remained formally non-committal.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the Sunshine Coast Council did not hold a “formal position” on shark nets following a discussion two weeks ago at the 129th Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) in the Gold Coast.
During the LGAQ, the Noosa Council expressed its support for a trial of non-lethal shark mitigation measures during the whale migration.
During this whale migration season, whales have been trapped in shark nets off the coast of Noosa, Marcoola and Mooloolaba.
Ms Natoli said the Sunshine Coast Council supported the Noosa Council at the LGAQ.
“We haven’t got a formal position of council, but our officers did recommended supporting Noosa’s motion at the LGAQ conference,” Ms Natoli said.
Acting Noosa Mayor Brian Stockwell said the Noosa Council supported the state government’s shark control program, but that nets should be removed during migration season.
“We consider it appropriate that the mesh nets be removed and other non-lethal measures used,” Mr Stockwell said.
“We hope to work with the state government to see it modernise its shark control program to trial non-lethal, evidence-based shark mitigation technologies.
“These could include drone surveillance, sonar detection systems and SMART drumlines during the whale migration season.”
Mr Stockwell said he urged the state government to “implement the recommendations” as outlined in the motion.
Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig said trialling the removal of shark nets during migration season was “worth a go”.
“Without any change or trial no improvements are made, so if there are credible options in relation to using something other than shark nets, I think anything is worth a go,” Mr Hartwig said.
“But we also do need to remember the shark nets do provide protection for human beings, which is very important in term of safety.”
Mr Hartwig hoped the outcome of this motion would lead to efforts to “utilise different means” on a council level.
“We would be very keen to see the results of these non lethal methods,” he said.
“If there are trials, so then we can implement it at our beach in Rainbow.”
Mr Hartwig said the Gympie Council may be willing to provide funds for trials.
“Maybe we’ll assist in some funding to do some trials, and hopefully it will lead to improvement.”
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