No more drumlines but sharks not off hook

The West Australian Premier says he is relieved the Government will no longer need to ask Canberra for permission to catch and kill sharks that pose an imminent threat.

Shark caught on drumlines off Gold Coast Supplied by Harrison Townsend [e-mail] Story: Laura Nelson

The West Australian Premier says he is relieved the Government will no longer need to ask Canberra for permission to catch and kill sharks that pose an imminent threat.

Colin Barnett said the state had negotiated a new protocol with the Commonwealth after withdrawing its application to run its controversial drumline program for three more years.

The decision comes a month after the WA Environmental Protection Authority recommended not to extend the program, which resulted in the capture of 172 sharks last summer.

Only 50 of the captured sharks were over the designated three-metre kill length.

Mr Barnett said the arrangement came as a “relief”.

“It means we can act without delay when there is a threat to public safety,” he said.

The definition of an “imminent threat” will be part of the negotiated protocol and the decision to kill a shark will be made by fisheries officers at the time, the Premier said.

Sharks determined to be a threat could be shot or caught on drumlines.

Drumlines will continue to be used in tagging.

“What we’re talking about is large sharks who stay around an area which is a popular swimming, surfing area and pose a clear threat,” Mr Barnett said.

“I don’t think you can make any hard and fast rule. I think it is a judgment for professional people on the spot.”

Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren said the decision to withdraw the drumline program was a great outcome for common sense and the marine environment.

But she said Mr Barnett must take responsibility for wasting state and federal resources and allow coastal communities to decide how best to manage shark protection.