Thursday, 05 November 2015 

Whale caught within shark netSea Shepherd Australia is beyond shocked upon learning that the Queensland Department of Fisheries is looking to increase the number of drum lines that require a permit to be used within the Great Barrier Reef from 148 to 213; an increase of 65 drum lines.

The revelation comes as the Department of Fisheries released an information pack outlining their proposal, which the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has released and made available, in order to collate public submissions.

National Shark Campaign Coordinator for Sea Shepherd, Natalie Banks is astonished, stating that it is completely and utterly backward thinking, which will continue to put at risk the health of the Great Barrier Reef while indiscriminately capturing and killing more innocent marine life.

“It is beyond a joke that in Queensland, the Government is moving to increase lethal shark measures, while in New South Wales, the Government has just announced a $16 million non-lethal shark control trial,” Ms Banks said.

“Tens of thousands of reef sharks have been caught and killed in the shark control program in Queensland, sharks which are vital to having a healthy coral reef system.”

Sea Shepherd earlier this year, revealed that over 85,600 marine animals had been caught within the Queensland shark control program since it was implemented in 1962. The Queensland Government’s move to increase drum lines within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park will see an increase in the number of marine animals caught and killed – the majority of which pose no threat at all to humans.

The organisation also recently released footage of a juvenile dolphin caught on the drum lines at the Gold Coast being protected by its mother by ensuring the calf didn’t drown.

“It appears that the Queensland Government is of the belief that drum lines protect tourism – yet I can assure you that tourists will be put off by the increased images of marine life caught within these death traps,” Ms Banks said.

“The sad part is that there is no scientific data that stipulates that drum lines and shark nets actually work to reduce shark encounters – in fact there have been 16 shark encounters at Queensland beaches which have shark control measures in place, including one fatality at a beach where eight drum lines were located.”

Sea Shepherd is calling on the public to compilesubmissions against the Department of Fisheries’ proposal and will be advising on some pointers for people to include on their website prior to the closing date on November 30. Submissions can be sent via email at:  QSCP@gbrmpa.gov.au