News
Urgent Plea to Remove Shark Nets After Another Whale Entanglement
Monday, 01 Jul, 2024
Sea Shepherd Australia is urgently calling for immediate changes to the Queensland government's Shark Control Program after a second whale became entangled in shark nets in less than a month.
The whale was discovered in a state of distress by locals at Maracoola Beach on Monday morning.
"We witnessed a whale floundering in the shallows, unusually still, yet still breathing," reported an onlooker. "They appeared to be tangled and had been floating on the surface for over ten minutes without moving. We planned to get on paddle boards and free the whale immediately."
A brave local risks punitive legal action in order to free the distressed whale. Photo: Sea Shepherd QLD
Brave onlookers made the choice to risk punitive legal action in order to successfully rescue the trapped whale. Since 2019, the Queensland government has made it illegal to come within 20 metres of its shark nets, impeding efforts to monitor and rescue endangered marine wildlife.
Jonathan Clark, Sea Shepherd Australia’s Shark Defence Campaigner, expressed his frustration with the continued use of shark nets along the whale migration route. "Whilst the Queensland Government continues to place shark nets on the humpback highway, brave people will continue to rescue, will continue to resist, and will continue to agitate for change."
"Whilst the Queensland Government continues to place shark nets on the humpback highway, brave people will continue to rescue, will continue to resist, and will continue to agitate for change."
Jonathan Clark, Shark Defence Campaigner - Sea Shepherd Australia
The urgency of Sea Shepherd Australia's call to action is underscored by the string of marine life entanglements in recent years. Over the last decade (2014-2023), Queensland’s shark nets and drumlines have captured 7,808 unintended non-target animals, including 734 protected species.
"The removal of shark nets during whale migration is supported by years of scientific research, expert advice, and local communities," Clark continued. "The Queensland Government has had ample time to consider this advice, and it is time for them to act. These barbaric fishing devices do nothing to increase beach safety and everything to harm innocent wildlife, our tourism industry, and our government’s credibility. The nets must go and be replaced by the many harm-free alternatives that can make beaches safer places for both humans and the wildlife who call it home."
Sea Shepherd Australia continues to call for the Queensland government to commit to the removal of shark nets during the whale migration season to prevent further unnecessary harm to marine life.
Take Action
Demand #NetsOutNow in Queensland
Queensland is the only state left in Australia which still keeps shark nets in the migratory path of whales, and one of very few places in the world that actively targets protected and endangered marine species. After over 60 years of this program, there remains no evidence that shark nets and drumlines do anything to improve beachgoer safety.
Send a message to the Queensland Premier, Steven Miles, asking him to transition the current Queensland shark control program to non-lethal, scientifically backed alternatives from 2024 onwards.