No choice but to remove shark drum lines, Fisheries Minister says after LNP criticism

There was no choice but to withdraw shark drum lines from the waters around Townsville and Magnetic Island, the Fisheries Minister has said, after federal politicians questioned the move.

THERE was no choice but to withdraw shark drum lines from the waters around Townsville and Magnetic Island, the Fisheries Minister has said, after LNP politicians questioned the move.

All 45 shark drum lines in waters off Magnetic Island and Pallarenda Beach and the rest across the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park area have been removed, just as the school holidays begin.

Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said the State Government was “forced to act” after the Federal Court dismissed an appeal against new permit conditions forced on Queensland’s Shark Control Program under Federal legislation.

“The new conditions under Federal law would turn the Shark Control program from a ‘catch and remove’ program to a ‘catch and release’ program,” he said.

“Our contractors and staff are neither trained nor equipped to handle live sharks, tow them away from where they are caught and then to release them alive.

“We’re talking about sharks here, not whiting. You can’t just kiss them on the nose and throw them back.”

Federal MP for Herbert Phillip Thompson slammed Humane Society International, the group that sparked the legal action, and said it was “absolutely disgusting” that “latte-sipping lefties” had thought it appropriate to push a court case that has ended up risking the lives of North Queenslanders.

“We must be putting the safety of human life first and supporting our great tourism industry in North and Central Queensland,” he said.

Mr Thompson also questioned the State Government’s swift removal of shark drum lines, saying there were alternatives available.

Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Mander said removing the drum lines was “playing with politics” and the safety of Queenslanders.

“The court didn’t tell Labor to take out the drum lines — Labor chose to do it,” he said.

“The drum lines are legal if they are regularly monitored and sharks are removed quickly.”

Mr Furner said he was “stunned” at the LNP’s suggestion the State Government should “operate in breach of the law”.

“That speaks volumes about their lack of respect for the law,” he said.

“This can be fixed quickly and legally by the Federal Government changing its laws and allowing our Shark Control Program back in to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.”

A total of 39 sharks were caught in the 45 shark drum lines around Magnetic Island and off Pallarenda Beach between January and May, including 13 tiger sharks and 7 bull sharks.

Originally published as No choice but to remove shark drum lines, Fisheries Minister says after LNP criticism