SMART baited ‘drumlines’ less of a threat to other species of animals
A mullet impaled on a hook and attached to a float linked to a satellite will join the anti-shark defences of Sydney beaches for the first time today. These baited “drumlines” will be set offshore from 10 Sydney beaches to target three of the most dangerous shark species.
NSW
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A mullet impaled on a hook and attached to a float linked to a satellite will join the anti-shark defences of Sydney beaches for the first time today.
Over the next three months, 20 SMART baited “drumlines” will be set 500 metres offshore from 10 of Sydney’s northern beaches to target the three most dangerous shark species and compliment the existing shark nets.
The drumlines are designed to be less of a threat than nets to other wildlife like dolphins, whales, sea turtles and harmless sharks like grey nurses.
Of the 403 marine animals “entangled” in NSW shark nets between September 2017 and April 2018, 92 per cent were “non-target animals” according to the Shark Meshing Program’s annual report.
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However NSW Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair said the northern beaches trial was not about reducing “bycatch” but instead was an added level of protection. He denied the drumlines would see shark nets removed.
“I’m not looking to pull those nets out,” he said
The Department of Primary Industries drumlines technology will be trialled at Palm, Whale, Avalon, Bilgola, Newport, Manly, Queenscliff, Freshwater, Curl Curl and Dee Why beaches after approval by Northern Beaches Council.
Mr Blair said he would negotiate with other Sydney councils to expand the drum line system.
“We want to see how we can refine the technology and see what role it has,” Mr Blair said. “The more places we can trial it, the better, but we’re also not going to force this on people.”
SMART drumlines, already in use on the state’s North Coast and Newcastle beaches, target White, Bull and Tiger sharks — the species responsible for most attacks in NSW.
Each morning, the drumlines — consisting of two buoys and a satellite-linked communications unit attached to a baited “circle” hook specifically designed to only lodge in the corner of the mouth — are deployed and then retrieved in the afternoon so they don’t stay out at night.
Once caught, a shark is fitted with a satellite tag and released away from the beach.
If a tagged shark is later detected near a beach by a series of acoustic receivers, alerts are sent to the public through the SharkSmart phone app and Twitter feeds.
Data from other SMART drum line trials revealed the tagged sharks move away from the area in which they were hooked for up to several months before resuming their natural migratory paths.
The government is currently tracking the movements of 329 White Sharks, 70 Bull Sharks and 47 Tiger Sharks which have been tagged.
In two-years from December 2016, North Coast drumlines caught 238 targeted sharks, with all released alive except for one Great White.
Manly local Heath Irving, who surfs everyday, said the existing nets and the new drumlines weren’t necessary.
“We should just embrace nature,” the 33-year-old said. “We shouldn’t be trying to tamper with it.”
Originally published as SMART baited ‘drumlines’ less of a threat to other species of animals
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