Tuncurry Beach: Myall Lakes MP calls for shark drum lines intervention

Calls have been made to introduce shark prevention methods along the Mid-North Coast in the wake of last month's fatality at Tuncurry Beach.

Calls have been made for the introduction of two shark drum lines along a stretch of the Mid-North Coast following last month's fatal attack at Tuncurry.

Myall Lakes MP Stephen Bromhead has approached the NSW Minister for Agriculture, Adam Marshall, expressing his willingness to forge ahead with implementing two SMART drum lines along the Tuncurry coast line to help prevent future attacks.

The call comes following a recent community forum held by Surf Life Saving NSW, the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) and the Department of Primary Industries who recommended  shark mitigation measures, including drum lines, with the community.

Mr Bromhead said he is of the belief that this was the best strategy to ensure the community's confidence in returning to the water, safely, after a harrowing few weeks since the attack.

A Sydney man on holiday died after being bitten by a shark while surfing at Tuncurry Beach on the Mid-North Coast.

"I am calling on the government to install SMART drum lines in the Myall Lakes after a fatal shark attack last month which has shaken our community," Mr Bromhead said.

"I recently met with NSW Minister for Agriculture, Adam Marshall, and demanded that two drum lines be located in our area."

SMART drum lines are new technology that allow target sharks to be intercepted beyond the surf break; once caught, they are tagged and relocated 1km offshore.

It is designed to be non-lethal and to send an alert when a shark has been captured on the line. Anchored to the sea floor, SMART drum lines comprise of two buoys and a satellite-linked GPS communications unit attached to a baited hook.

a diagram of how a SMART drum line works. Pic Supplied

A triggering magnet is attached to the communications unit and the line. When an animal takes the bait and puts pressure on the line, the magnet is released.

This causes the communications unit to transmit its position to the drum line operator, alerting them to the presence of an animal on the line. Once alerted, the drum line operator can immediately respond to tag, relocate and release the animal as required.  

Mr Bromhead said he has received a lot a lot of correspondence from people in relation to appropriate strategies, following the death of 59-year-old Mark Sanguinetti who was attacked while surfing with friends from Sydney. Mr Bromhead  said he 'knows the community wants something done.'

"I am calling for this investment as it is crucial that locals and holiday-makers alike feel protected when enjoying our stunning beaches. If this technology can help people to feel safer in the water and save lives, it is worth it."

A spokeswoman for Mr Bromhead said he favoured the SMART drum line strategy because this is what experts recommended.

The Mid-North Coast News has contacted Mr Marshall's office for comment.

Tuncurry Beach. Picture: Dan Mills

EARLIER: SHARK FEARS FESTER INSIDE COMMUNITY

Friday, May 28

Medical experts and professional surf life savers will extend an olive branch of support to Mid-North Coast residents who have been impacted by the tragic death of Tuncurry shark bite victim Mark Sanguinetti.

A not-to-be-missed community information session will be held at the Forster Surf Life Saving Club on June 3, to allow residents to discuss their personal experiences, thoughts and feelings about his death and the prevalence of increased shark activity in the area.

The session, between 3.30pm and 7pm, will also discuss shark mitigation measures and their the animal’s behaviours.

It will be hosted by Surf Life Saving NSW, the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) and the Department of Primary Industries.

RAMHP spokesperson Matthew Milne said tragedies like these can create a high level of trauma within communities and the ongoing effects can last for some time after the newspaper headlines have disappeared.

Tuncurry Beach is still closed on Wednesday. Dan Mills

“We know that many residents of coastal communities see the beach as their happy place where they can de-stress and unwind, but when that place becomes a place of fear, people’s mental health can suffer as a result,” he said.

“There is no ‘normal’ way of experiencing trauma because everyone is different and most people will start to feel like themselves again with the help and support of friends or family.

“However, some people may need the help of a mental health professional and RAMHP is well positioned within communities like Forster-Tuncurry to provide links when necessary,” he said.

The session comes two weeks after Mark Sanguinetti, 59, died when he was surfing with three other friends off Tuncurry Beach.

The incident, which has sent a shock wave through the community, inspired professional body boarder Josh Kirkman to hold a memorial for Mr Sanguinetti on Saturday.

Mark Sanguinetti, 59, of Bilgola Plateau, died in a shark attack on the Mid-North Coast on Tuesday. Picture: Facebook.

Surf Life Saving Lower North Coast Duty Officer Brian Wilcox, who responded to the incident, said many locals and the surf life saving community are still in shock

“Our role is to protect and save lives so when tragedies like this occur it deeply affects our volunteer lifesavers,” said Mr Wilcox.

“We have our own member welfare support systems in place but it helps enormously to come together as a community so people can air their fears and concerns and know they are not dealing with this alone.”

Mr Milne added that it’s not just people who were directly involved in the incident who are at risk of experiencing trauma.

“Sometimes people who hear or read about an incident can be affected without being directly involved. This is called vicarious trauma and is very common after high profile incidents within close communities.”