Despite no evidence that they contribute to swimmer safety, Queensland uses shark nets and drumlines as part of its shark control program.
Shark nets and drumlines are extremely dangerous to marine life that can get tangled – including whales as they migrate up the Queensland coast. Sharks are also needlessly killed on lethal drumlines – often suffering slow cruel deaths.
New South Whales has already removed the shark nets during the whale migration. At a minimum, Queensland should do the same. Ideally, lethal drumlines should also be removed entirely and replaced with more modern non-lethal technology. A coalition for marine protection groups last year released a report that demonstrates that non-lethal shark control technologies are not only more effective and save wildlife but also cost less to run. Find out more below or download the full proposal here.
AnimalKIND is a member of the Nets Out Now alliance. Learn more about shark nets and drumlines at Nets Out Now website.
Please email your MP using the form below (or the Queensland Premier if you live outside of Queensland).
We encourage you to also email the Minister for Agriculture and the Minister for Tourism at [email protected] and [email protected]. (You can do this by copy and pasting the template below, adding your own words, and signing your name and address at the bottom).
Please also phone the Minister’s office on (07) 3719 7420.
Above – Photo: Rebecca Griffiths Photography. Whale off the Gold Coast – May 2020.
EMAIL TEXT:
In recent years we have seen several whales caught in shark nets off the Queensland coast as well as several occurrences of whales becoming entangled on drumlines. It is unacceptable to allow whales or other marine animals to be entangled or drown.
As a starting point, these nets and drumlines should be removed from the Queensland coast during the whale migration season. New South Wales has acknowledged the nets are dangerous to whales and have already removed them for the migration season. Queensland should do the same. Ideally, Queensland should move rapidly to remove all nets and lethal drumlines along the coast.
I support non-lethal methods for monitoring sharks and improving swimmer safety as well as protecting marine life. There is no scientific evidence that shark nets and drumlines do anything for swimmer safety. We should move away from shark nets and lethal drumlines – both of which lead to death of both sharks and marine life including whales and lead to prolonged suffering.
I would appreciate if you could follow up with the Minister for Tourism and the Minister for Agriculture on my behalf.
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Remove Shark Nets
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