Shark culling

Photo of suspended tiger shark next to four men.
A 14-foot (4.3 m), 1,200-pound (540 kg) tiger shark caught in Kāne'ohe Bay, Oahu in 1966

Shark culling is the deliberate killing of sharks by government authorities, usually in response to one or more shark attacks. The term "shark control" is often used by governments when referring to culls. Shark culling has been criticized by environmentalists, conservationists and animal welfare advocates — they say killing sharks harms the marine ecosystem and is unethical.[1][2][3][4][5][6] Government officials often cite public safety as a reason for culling.

Shark culling mainly occurs in four locations: New South Wales, Queensland, KwaZulu-Natal and Réunion.[7][8][9][10]

Methods of culling

Shark nets

Main article: Shark net

Shark nets such as those used in New South Wales are designed to entangle and kill sharks and other animals that pass near them.[11]

Christopher Neff, a Ph.D. scholar at the University of Sydney notes, "Internationally, shark nets have been labeled a 'key threatening process' for killing endangered species." He adds:" ... killing endangered species to boost public confidence or to show government action is not workable. It is a disservice to the public."[12]

Drum lines

Main article: Drum line

A drum line is an unmanned aquatic trap used to lure, capture and kill large sharks using baited hooks.

Drum lines have been criticized for being environmentally destructive and speciesist, and have sparked public demonstrations and vocal opposition, particularly from environmentalists, animal welfare advocates and ocean activists.[1][2][3][4] Conservationists say killing sharks on drum lines harms the marine ecosystem.[5] In addition, Western Australia Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly said "there is currently no scientific evidence to show that drumlines reduce the risk of a [shark] attack".[13] Shark experts and conservationists also say there is no evidence that drum lines prevent shark attacks.[14]

Current shark culling locations

New South Wales (Australia)

The government of New South Wales has a program that deliberately kills sharks using shark nets. They were first installed in 1935.[12][7] The current net program in New South Wales has been described as being "extremely destructive" to marine life, including sharks.[15] Between September 2017 and April 2018, more than 403 animals were killed in the nets in New South Wales, including 10 critically-endangered grey nurse sharks, seven dolphins, seven green sea turtles and 14 great white sharks.[13] Between 1950 and 2008, 352 tiger sharks and 577 great white sharks were killed in the nets in New South Wales. Also during this period, a total of 15,135 marine animals were killed in the nets.[7] More than 5,000 marine turtles have been caught on the nets.[16] Sixty-five percent of shark attacks in New South Wales occurred at netted beaches.[16]

The current net program in New South Wales has been called "outdated and ineffective",[13] and has been criticized by environmentalists, who say nets harm the marine ecosystem.[7][16][17] They say there is no science showing that nets make the ocean safer for people.[11] Humane Society International calls the nets a "knee-jerk reaction".[16] The New South Wales government prohibits people from rescuing entangled animals—this prohibition has been called "heartless and cruel".[18]

In August 2018, it was announced that the nets in northern New South Wales would be removed, but that the nets in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong would stay.[13][19] The New South Wales Green party said they wanted all lethal nets to be removed.[19]

Queensland (Australia)

From 1962 to the present, the government of Queensland has targeted and killed sharks in large numbers by using drum lines and shark nets,[17] under a "shark control" program—this program has also killed large numbers of other animals such as dolphins; it has also killed endangered hammerhead sharks.[20][11][21] Queensland currently operates the largest shark culling program in Australia.[7] From 2013 to 2014, 667 sharks were killed on Queensland's drum lines and in shark nets, including great white sharks and critically-endangered grey nurse sharks.[7] From 2014 to 2015, 621 sharks were killed in Queensland.[22] From 2017 to 2018, 218 sharks were killed, including 75 tiger sharks and 41 bull sharks.[14] From 2001 to 2018, a total of 10,480 sharks were killed on lethal drum lines in Queensland.[23]

About 360 baited drum lines have been placed off the coast of Queensland, including 78 along the Sunshine Coat, 54 near Townsville, 27 near Mackay and 38 near Cairns.[14]

The shark-killing program in Queensland has been criticized by environmentalists, conservationists, and animal welfare advocates—they say Queensland's shark-killing program is unethical and harms the marine ecosystem.[7][21][2][5][16] Queensland's shark-killing program has been called "outdated, cruel and ineffective".[21] The Australian Marine Conservation Society said, "the ecological cost of drum lines is high, with 97% of sharks caught since 2001 considered to be at some level of conservation risk."[7]

In September 2018, the government of Queensland began culling sharks with drum lines in Cid Harbour in the Whitsunday Islands in response to two non-fatal shark attacks—six sharks (including five tiger sharks) were shot and killed, and their bodies were dumped at sea.[24][25][14][26] The killings have been called a cull.[25][27] Environmental groups criticized the cull; Shark Conservation Australia called the killings a "disgusting knee-jerk reaction" and said it was "a very shameful day here in Australia".[25][26] The cull was also called a "farce".[27] Jonathan Clark of the Sea Shepherd group said culling sharks would not make swimmers safer.[27] National Geographic cameraman Andy Casagrande said the following about the cull: "When will basic intelligence and respect for the planet be a requirement for highly paid supposedly educated government officials?"[27] Most Whitsunday locals resisted the cull.[14]

The government of Queensland currently kills sharks in the Great Barrier Reef using 173 lethal drum lines; in 2018, Humane Society International filed a lawsuit (court challenge) requesting that the drum lines be removed there.[23]

KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)

Shark nets and drum lines kill many sharks in a "shark control" program in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.[8][28] Shark culling has been occurring in KwaZulu-Natal since the 1950s.[8][28] In a 30-year period, more than 33,000 sharks have been killed in KwaZulu-Natal's shark-killing program.[8] During the same 30-year period, 2,211 turtles, 8,448 rays, and 2,310 dolphins were killed.[8] Although shark species such as the great white shark are protected in South Africa, the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board is allowed to kill these sharks (an exception was made for them).[8] Shark nets are currently installed in Marine Protected Areas, and kill animals there.[8] The current shark cull in KwaZulu-Natal has been criticized by environmentalists, and has been called "archaic".[8][28][9]

Réunion (France)

In 2013, following several fatal shark attacks, authorities in the French island of Réunion killed 24 sharks. They also announced the planned killing of an additional 90 sharks.[29] George H. Burgess called the killings "an archaic, knee-jerk reaction that seems more borne of vengeance than of science."[29] Réunion authorities currently kill about 100 sharks per year.[10][30]

Previous shark culling locations

Hawaii

From 1959 to 1976, a government-funded program killed 4,668 sharks in Hawaii. The program did not change the rate of shark attacks in the waters of Hawaii.[31]

Western Australia

Anti-cull protesters on Perth's Cottesloe Beach in Western Australia in 2014

Main article: Western Australian shark cull

In 2014, a shark cull in Western Australia killed dozens of sharks (mostly tiger sharks) using drum lines,[32] until it was canceled after public protests and a decision by the Western Australia EPA; from 2014 to 2017, there was an "imminent threat" policy in Western Australia in which sharks that "threatened" humans in the ocean were shot and killed.[33] This "imminent threat" policy was criticized by Senator Rachel Siewert for killing endangered sharks.[3] The "imminent threat" policy was canceled in March 2017.[34] In August 2018, the Western Australia government announced a plan to re-introduce drum lines (though, this time the drum lines are "SMART" drum lines).[35]

Support

Government officials in Australia cite "public safety" as a reason for culling; in defending shark culling, the government of Queensland made the following speciesist statement: "The protection of people is more important than the protection of sharks". Leaders of the Liberal National Party of Queensland support shark culling.[27] Many residents of Réunion support shark culling.[36]

Opposition

Environmentalists, conservationists, animal rights activists and shark experts oppose shark culling.[1][2][3][4][5][26][37] They say sharks are important to the marine ecosystem and that killing them harms the marine ecosystem.[38][5] Organizations that oppose shark culling include the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Humane Society International, the Australian Marine Conservation Society, and Shark Conservation Australia.[17][16][7][25][26] The Sea Shepherd group said, "Politicians responsible for the shark cull policy have displayed an unwillingness to explore other shark mitigation strategies".[17] Jessica Morris of Humane Society International said, "Sharks are top order predators that play an important role in the functioning of marine ecosystems. We need them for healthy oceans."[16]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Sharks - Marine Science Australia". Ausmarinescience.com. Archived from the original on 2018-07-27. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Queensland - Overview". Seashepherd.org.au. Archived from the original on 2017-08-23. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Wahlquist, Calla (February 12, 2015). "Western Australia's 'Serious Threat' Shark Policy Condemned by Senate". theguardian.com. Archived from the original on 2016-11-26. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 Meyer, Carl (December 11, 2013). "Western Australia's Shark Culls Lack Bite (And Science)". theconversation.com. Archived from the original on 2018-10-07. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Schetzer, Alana. "Sharks: How a cull could ruin an ecosystem". puruit.unimelb.edu.au. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  6. ↑ Hubbard, Chloe (April 30, 2017). "No Shark Cull: Why Some Surfers Don't Want to Kill Great Whites Despite Lethal Attacks". nbcnews.com. Archived from the original on 2018-08-06. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Shark Culling". marineconservation.org.au. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Shark Nets". sharkangels.org. Archived from the original on 2018-09-19. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  9. 1 2 Cole, Barbara (August 3, 2018). "Durban activists claim 'shark nets serve no purpose'". iol.co.za. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  10. 1 2 "Man Who Devoted Life To Sharks, Killed Off The Coast Of Reunion". nzherald.co.nz. April 30, 2017.
  11. 1 2 3 Forrest, Alice. "Shark Nets in Australia – What Are They and How Do They Work?". sealifetrust.org. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  12. 1 2 Pepin-Neff, Christopher. "The Untold Story of Shark Nets in Australia". theconversation.com. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Mackenzie, Bruce (August 4, 2018). "Sydney Shark Nets Set to Stay Despite Drumline Success". swellnet.com. Archived from the original on 2018-09-21. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 Donaghey, Kathleen (September 25, 2018). "Whitsunday Locals Resist Shark Culls After Two Attacks". thenewdaily.com. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  15. ↑ Scott, Elfy (July 5, 2018). "Here's What You Need To Know About Australia's SMART Drum Lines Being Used To Prevent Shark Attacks". buzzfeed.com. Archived from the original on 2018-09-03. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Morris, Jessica (December 8, 2016). "Shark Nets – Death Traps For Marine Animals". hsi.org.au. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "About the Campaign:Sea Shepherd Working Together With The Community To Establish Sustainable Solutions To Shark Bite Incidents". seashepherd.org.au. Archived from the original on 2018-04-08. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  18. ↑ Eddie, Rachel (January 9, 2018). "Threat to Cut Shark Nets if Government Fails to Act". thenewdaily.com. Archived from the original on 2018-09-21. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  19. 1 2 "Shark Nets To Be Removed From All NSW North Coast Beaches". August 17, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-09-05. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  20. ↑ Watson, Matt (August 25, 2018). "Dolphins, Rays Among Hundreds Of Non-targeted Animals Killed On Queensland Shark Nets And Drum Lines, Figures Show". abc.net.au. Archived from the original on 2017-05-12. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  21. 1 2 3 Phillips, Jack (September 4, 2018). "Video: Endangered Hammerhead Sharks Dead on Drum Line in Great Barrier Reef". ntd.tv. Archived from the original on 2018-09-19. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  22. ↑ Burke, Gail (August 21, 2015). "621 Sharks Killed Off Queensland Coast Through Control Program". abc.net.au. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  23. 1 2 "Queensland Government Kills Sharks, Faces Court Challenge". maritime-exeecutive.com. September 4, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-09-04. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  24. ↑ CNN Wire (September 24, 2018). "Australian Authorities Kill 6 Sharks After Whitsunday Islands Attacks". ktla.com. Archived from the original on 2018-09-25. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  25. 1 2 3 4 "Culling Of Tiger Sharks After Whitsundays Attacks Sparks Heated Debate". au.news.yahoo.com. September 23, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Wolfe, Natalie (September 24, 2018). "'Shameful': Four Sharks Culled After Double Whitsundays Attack". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 "Fourth Shark Culled Leads to Backlash After Whitsundays Attacks". thenewdaily.com. September 24, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-09-24. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  28. 1 2 3 Pownall, Angela (June 9, 2014). "Drum Lines Part Of Life In South Africa For 50 Years". thewest.com.au. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  29. 1 2 "Shark Cull Announced By France Follows Second Fatal Attack Off Réunion Island This Year". huffingtonpost.com. August 3, 2013. Archived from the original on 2017-07-11. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  30. ↑ Shaw, Matthew B. (April 30, 2017). "Another Fatal Shark Attack On Réunion Island Bodyboarder And Trained Shark-spotter Is Ninth Death In Six Years". surfer.com. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  31. ↑ Levenson, Michael (September 20, 2018). "Here's How Communities Around The World Are Trying To Prevent Shark Attacks". bostonglobe.com. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  32. ↑ Brown, Sophie (May 8, 2014). "Australia: More than 170 sharks caught under controversial cull program". cnn.com. Archived from the original on 2017-01-01. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  33. ↑ Milman, Oliver (October 23, 2014). "WA Abandons Shark Culling Program, But Reserves Right To Kill Again". theguardian.com=. Archived from the original on 2016-11-26. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  34. ↑ Mercer, Daniel (April 18, 2017). "Premier Mark McGowan's Shark Plan Not Enough To Protect Us". thewest.com.au. Archived from the original on 2018-09-09. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Sharks To Be Caught On SMART Drum Lines Off WA's South West After Labor U-turn". abc.net.au. August 14, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-09-02. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Inside La Réunion's Shark Cull: Why the Locals Want Them Dead". sbs.com. April 9, 2014. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  37. ↑ Burgess, George (February 28, 2017). "Culling Sharks Won't Protect Surfers". theconversation.com. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  38. ↑ "The Importance of Sharks In the Ecosystem". eu.oceana.org. Archived from the original on 2018-08-04. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
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