Shark victim Lance Appleby’s mate Danny Lee calls for more measures to prevent shark attacks off the SA coast
Surfer Danny Lee recounts the horrifying moment his friend was killed by a great white at Streaky Bay just a few months ago.
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Growing up in the small coastal town of Streaky Bay, it wasn’t hard to miss Lance Appleby.
The avid surfer was always in the ocean, chasing the next big wave alongside his dad Dave.
It was his caring nature though that really turned heads in the tight-knit community of just over 2,000 people.
“He was always willing to give anything a go and support the people around him,” friend and fellow Streaky Bay surfer Danny Lee said.
“As much as we called him a wave hog or ball hog in footy, we just all looked up to him.”
But on January 2, this year, tragedy struck.
Danny had been surfing at the hotspot earlier in the day, returning moments after his friend was mauled.
“People in the car park didn’t even know what had happened,” he said.
“There was one guy with binoculars who had seen it and I thought he was taking the piss.
“You’re hoping like hell that it isn’t real, but when you find out, the whole world just stops around you.”
Despite being in a state of shock and the shark still in the area, the 26-year-old and another friend bravely jumped onto a jetski to collect Lance’s surfboard.
He has since launched a petition, with more than 1,200 signatures, calling on the state government to do more to mitigate the risks of sharks off the coast of SA.
From increased drone surveillance to bolstered tagging to shark deterrent rebates, there’s a lot to be done to keep both South Australians – and sharks – safer in the water.
“If we don’t invest in preventive measures, we are going to continue to see people get attacked,” he said.
“People are probably going to start taking it into their own hands, going out there illegally, hunting great whites because the government isn’t doing anything about it.
“We can’t do anything to protect ourselves if we don’t know the animal and where they are.”
But, his number one priority is stopping the use of berley and teaser baits to attract great white sharks for cage diving near Neptune Island, off the coast of Port Lincoln.
Mr Lee said it was “irresponsible” for the government to continue to allow the practice.
“It is mind boggling how ignorant and unwilling ministers and politicians have been to move with the times.”
From Robe to Ceduna, more than 60 businesses across the state have rallied behind the cause, collecting signatures in a bid to get the state government to take serious action.
His petition comes after several sharks were spotted just metres from the shore at popular metropolitan and regional beaches.
The state government announced a $500,000 shark safety package in November to be used on additional signage, trauma kits and educational initiatives.
But Danny admits that’s just a drop in the ocean to what is actually needed to pay tribute to Lance, the man who gave so much to his loved ones.
“If we can make this positive change for the entire state, for his friends and family, even though he’s gone, he’s still affecting everyone’s lives in the same way he did when he was here.”
You can sign the petition at these locations across the state.
Originally published as Shark victim Lance Appleby’s mate Danny Lee calls for more measures to prevent shark attacks off the SA coast
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