Greenmount shark attack: Gold Coast safety measures to be reviewed, tiger shark caught in nets
The Gold Coast’s controversial ageing shark nets will be urgently reviewed in the fallout of real estate agent Nick Slater’s tragic death. Now Gold Coasters have given their opinion on whether a shark cull is necessary.
Gold Coast
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THE Gold Coast’s controversial ageing shark nets will be urgently reviewed in the fallout of real estate agent Nick Slater’s tragic death - but there is no appetite for shark culling.
The investigation will look at whether the existing net and drumline system, in place since 1968, is adequate to protect swimmers or whether new measures are needed.
But there is no political appetite for a cull of shark numbers, despite a marked increase in the population.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk offered her “deepest condolences” to Mr Slater’s friends and families and praised the existing measures
“I firmly believe our shark control program has been saving lives for generations,” she said.
“If improvements can be made then of course they should be but the ultimate goal has to be protecting human life.”
The investigation was launched after Mayor Tom Tate and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner spoke on Wednesday morning.
“It doesn’t matter how long it has been (since the Gold Coast’s last fatal beach shark attack), it is devastating and a shock to the community of the Gold Coast.
“I spoke to Mark Furner this morning already and we are coming together to work out what the best solution is.
“(My message to surfers is) look after your mates, it brings to reality that when we go off the land and into the water we are entering the shark’s domain and there are dangers there,” he said.
Mr Furner told Parliament the nets and drumlines off Greenmount Beach had been checked just hours before Mr Slater’s death.
“This is the first fatality at this beach and the second at a shark control program beach since the program has been in operation since 1962.
“The Government remains committed to the program and the shark control program has worked to mitigate the risk of shark attack since the program began.
“I am fully engaging with the shark control program’s scientific working group regarding this tragic incident. And again I extend my deepest condolences to the family.”
Tuesday’s fatal shark attack was the first to occur on a Gold Coast beach since the death of Brisbane man Peter Gerard Spronk at Surfers Paradise in 1958.
Both Cr Tate and Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan said the incident could impact on the city’s already struggling tourism industry.
“Any and all options should be considered in the review of the nets but we need to take every step available toe ensure this does not happen again,” Mr Donovan said.
“We need to have a conversation with those who are in power, understand the problem and take authoritative decision.”
Marine experts say the existing anti-shark measures must be reviewed and new technology considered.
Gold Coast marine expert and SeaWorld’s former director of marine science Trevor Long said he did not want to see more shark control equipment put into the ocean.
“I would like to see changes but I do not thing they should be wholesale – they should be staged alterations,” he said.
“We must not let this one incident affect things. We do not want to go down the Jaws trail.
“We must look at the science.”
Dr Long urged surfers to take precautions, including avoiding the water at dawn and dusk when sharks feed.
Bond University environmental science expert Dr Daryl McPhee was involved in the State Government’s most recent review of shark control measures and said there were multiple options available including expanding drone usage by surf lifesaving staff, as well as improved education.
TUESDAY
A TIGER shark has been caught in nets near where a surfer was tragically killed at a Gold Coast beach on Tuesday evening.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in State Parliament today has spoken the shock of the city’s first shark attack death in six decades.
Anti-shark measures on Gold Coast beaches will be reviewed in the wake of Nick Slater’s tragic death at Greenmount on Tuesday evening.
The 46-year-old real estate agent and Miami resident was attacked by a massive shark just after 5pm and died within minutes.
The Premier told State Parliament: “This morning shark control contractors found a large tiger shark in nets off Greenmount.
“Further investigations will be conducted to discover if there is any link with the fatal attack off the beach later yesterday afternoon.”
The Premier offered her deepest condolences to the family.
She said beaches were being closed between Burleigh and the border as a precaution.
The Premier said police, the Coroner and fishery inspectors would investigate.
“There has never been an attack on this beach. I firmly believe our shark control program has been saving lives for generations. If improvements can be made, then they should be,” she said.
She said people who had gone to the aid of the victim were “heroes”.
Fisheries Minister Mark Furner, later in Parliament provided more detail on the investigation.
He said the shark control equipment had been at the location of the fatality since 1968, and included “eight drum lines and one net”.
“These were checked yesterday morning as they are regularly,” Mr Furner said.
“This is the first fatality at this beach and the second at a shark control program beach since the program has been in operation since 1962.
“The Government remains committed to the program and the shark control program has worked to mitigate the risk of shark attack since the program began at 86 of Queensland’s most popular beaches from the Gold Coast to Cairns.
“I am fully engaging with the shark control program’s scientific working group regarding this tragic incident. And again I extend my deepest condolences to the family.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate spoke to Fisheries Minister Mark Furner by phone this morning and agreed to look at the circumstances surrounding the fatal shark attack.
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Cr Tate paid tribute to Mr Slater.
“My condolences go to Nick Slater and his family,” Cr Tate said.
“It doesn’t matter how long it has been (since the Gold Coast’s last fatal beach shark attack), it is devastating and a shock to the community of the Gold Coast.
“I spoke to Mark Furner this morning already and we are coming together to work out what the best solution is.
“He said there would be a full investigation.”
Beaches between Burleigh and Rainbow Bay have been closed for the day and lifeguards are patrolling on jet skis this morning searching for the shark involved in the attack.
Cr Tate said a decision on when the beaches reopened would be made later today.
“(My message to surfers is) look after your mates, it brings to reality that when we go off the land and into the water we are entering the shark’s domain and there are dangers there,” he said.
“When you analyse the lifestyles activity versus the danger, well that’s what life is about and I would not change my lifestyle.
“Just give us a day or two to find where this shark has gone.”
Greemount beach has eight drumlines and shark nets.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk offered her “deepest condolences” to Mr Slater’s friends and families.
“I firmly believe our shark control program has ben saving lives for generations,: she said in a statement.
“If improvements can be made then of course they should be but the ultimate goal has to be protecting human life.”
Ms Palaszczuk praised the heroic efforts of those who attempted to save Mr Slater’s life and said they were worth of nomination for bravery awards.
“I also believe those who went to the aid of this man after he was attacked are heroes,” she said.
“Reports from the scene indicate that they include life savers, lifeguards, members of the Greenmount Surf Club and passers-by.
‘The courage to run into the surf moments after a shark attack is beyond admirable.
“I think those people are worthy of nomination for bravery awards.”
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