ON January 8, the Apex Harmony crew were out patrolling the nets and drum lines on the Gold Coast when they came across a large dead Great Hammerhead shark in a net off Tallebudgera Beach.

Great Hammerhead sharks are classified as endangered under the IUCN Red List, with populations under pressure from government shark control programs, commercial and IUU fishing.

Sea Shepherd Australia spokesperson Jonathan Clark said: “Once again, we see another endangered species which has never posed a threat to ocean users die unnecessarily.

"These nets do nothing more than indiscriminately kill marine life while providing a false sense of security to ocean users.

“It is time the Queensland Government makes good on their election promise to provide effective non-lethal shark monitoring, control and incident prevention measures to protect ocean users and marine life.” Mr Clark said.