Tiger shark stabbed and killed, caught on drum line off Kings Beach, Caloundra

Gruesome video showing a tiger shark being repeatedly stabbed after it was caught on a drum line just off a Sunshine Coast beach has sparked outrage as experts criticise the cruelty of the killing. VIDEO.

A graphic and bloody video showing a tiger shark being repeatedly stabbed to death after it was caught on a drum line just off a popular Sunshine Coast beach has sparked outrage as experts criticise the brutality and cruelty of the killing.

The dramatic video shows shark control program contractors stabbing a tiger shark off Kings Beach, Caloundra on December 20, 2023.

A shark caught on a drum line off Kings Beach in Caloundra was caught on camera being brutally stabbed to death. Photo: Supplied

Humane Society International Australia marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck criticised the brutality of the killing.

“Not only is there an incomprehensible act of cruelty here, but with the shark and blood churning in the water off a popular swimming beach, there are also major public safety concerns,” Mr Chlebeck said.

“The fact this killing is in accordance with the Queensland shark control program protocol lays bare the cruelty of the program.”

A shark caught on a drum line off Kings Beach in Caloundra was caught on camera being brutally stabbed to death. Photo: Supplied

The Queensland shark control program mandated the destruction of seven target species of shark when caught in nets or on drum lines outside the boundaries of the Great Barrier Reef.

Contractors were employed by the State Government to carry out monitoring of the shark nets and drum lines.

Tiger sharks were the most culled species in the shark control program in Queensland, with 245 caught and 97 killed in 2023.

A Department of Agriculture and Fisheries spokesman said Queensland’s Shark Control Program worked to reduce the risk of shark bites at 86 of Queensland’s most popular beaches using a combination of shark nets and drumlines.

A shark caught on a drum line off Kings Beach in Caloundra was caught on camera being brutally stabbed to death. Photo: Supplied

“On December 20, 2023, a 2.8m tiger shark was found alive on a drum line off Kings Beach, Caloundra,” the spokesman said.

“Tiger sharks are a target species of the Shark Control Program and are considered dangerous.

“The shark was euthanised in accordance with Shark Control Program protocols.

“The tiger shark was a male and therefore not carrying pups. Analysis of the footage confirms the smaller fish present were likely to be cobia.

“The euthanised shark was taken approximately 3km out to sea for disposal.”

Originally published as Tiger shark stabbed and killed, caught on drum line off Kings Beach, Caloundra