Currency Creek landowner Vicki Matchett shares photos of shark dumped in front of property

A Fleurieu resident has woken up to a rude surprise outside her door for the New Year – but has a fair idea of how it got there.

Vicki Matchett said she often finds rubbish dumped in front of her house – but never a dead shark.

On Sunday, the Currency Creek resident walked outside her farm property to find the five-foot corpse of what she believed to be a bronze whaler, still smelling of the ocean.

Vicki Matchett found a 5ft-long dead shark dumped in front of her property at Currency Creek. Picture: Facebook

“It was so heavy I couldn’t pick it up,” the 62-year-old chef and business owner told The Advertiser.

“I thought, ‘What is that?’ and when I saw what it was, I thought, ‘You’ve got to be joking’.”

Ms Matchett said she had to hitch it on to her towbar and drive it a suitable distance from the road to bury it.

Ms Matchett’s dog Rune inspecting the aquatic visitor. Picture: Facebook

She was unsure how the shark got from the ocean to her driveway – about 12km away – speculating it may have been fishers dumping it on their way home.

She said littering was a problem along surrounding roads, from rubbish bags to speedway tyres.

“I have thought about getting cameras so at least we can get their registration plates and report it,” Ms Hatchett said.

“It’s just sad, but I suppose it’s reflective of society and the way some people are.”

Flinders University shark expert and marine biologist Dr Charlie Huveneers said it appeared to be a bronze whaler, which is not a threatened species, but called the animal’s death “wasteful”.

Strict new rules were introduced by the state government in December to prevent the overfishing of sharks, after several were found washed up and mutilated throughout the year, according to Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven.

Among the changes, fishers can no longer intentionally harm “non-noxious aquatic resources” unless the animal is being kept for a purpose such as consumption.

“Sharks and rays play an important role in our aquatic ecosystem and as such are of high conservation concern,” Ms Scriven said.

“The ethical and humane treatment of sharks and rays is vital to their survival and conservation and of interest to the broader community.”

Fishers must now also observe a one-bag limit for endangered shark and ray species, and two for all others.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA said that suspicious or illegal fishing activity should be reported directly to the Fishwatch hotline on 1800 065 522.

“As the dumping of any animal carcass is a local government issue, residents should contact their local council for advice on carcass removal,” she said.

Originally published as Currency Creek landowner Vicki Matchett shares photos of shark dumped in front of property