Help protect WA sharks from ANOTHER 'cull'

Scientific opposition

Before this year's trial started, 102 scientists signed an open letter to the Barnett government arguing against the use of drum lines.

Even an expert whose research is referenced in the government's cull trial documents was clearly opposed to such measures because of their risk to the environment:

"Due to the environmental impacts of shark control activities, it is not recommended that either shark nets of [sic] drum-lines be introduced into Western Australia."
– Associate Professor Daryl McPhee, Bond University, 'Likely effectiveness of netting or other capture programs as a shark hazard mitigation strategy in Western Australia'

Faulty reasoning

Public safety is repeatedly invoked in the government's plans as a justification for killing sharks in this manner — so what was the outcome of this year's trial?

"[T]his review does not assess the efficacy of drum lines on public safety risk mitigation." 
— Department of Fisheries 'Review of the outcomes from the drum line component of the Shark Mitigation Strategy for the trial period January - April 2014'

The government's own review of the trial's outcomes didn't even address public safety — its stated justification for killing sharks.

Statistics on shark bites are notoriously difficult to translate into solid policy, because they don't occur that often and when they do, it's rarely in the same place. But at least one long-term scientific study — in Hawaii — found that shark control measures including drum lines had no measurable impact on the number of shark bite events, even though thousands of sharks were killed. Similarly, according to a marine science expert from the University of Western Australia, figures from Queensland's long-running use of drum lines don't reflect any clear increase in human safety.

Creating the impression that people are safer seems to be trumping actual science-based action. WA's Fisheries Minister admitted as much in a media statement:

"While of course we will never know if any of the sharks caught would have harmed a person, this Government will always place greatest value on human life and I am pleased that these measures working in tandem with our research have gone some way to restoring confidence among beachgoers."

What's the alternative?

A group of scientific experts has advocated a non-lethal method — simply towing large sharks out to sea and letting them go. A successful trial of this strategy in Brazil reportedly reduced shark incidents by 97%.

More and improved community engagement and education has also been suggested as an effective and humane solution.

While the EPA's review of the government's plan will focus on the environmental impacts of the cull, it's critical that caring members of the public speak out in opposition on all counts, including the inevitable cruelty inflicted on marine animals.

You might like to make some of the following points in your submission!

The WA government's shark baiting and killing plan is:

• Scientifically questionable
  • Many scientists oppose the plan because of
    • Potential negative impacts on marine life and the environment.
    • Lack of evidence that killing sharks in this manner increases public safety.
  • The effect of this year's trial on public safety was not even reviewed.
• Cruel
  • Sharks killed during this year's trial were forced to endure the distress of being hooked, and potentially languished for hours until found by a patrol.
  • According to expert analysis, 74% of the animals captured during the trial were either not 'target' species or undersized, and many of them are likely to have died from their injuries after being released.

The WA government should focus on:

• Evidence-based policy and further research into effective alternative measures like the towing method trialled in Brazil.
• Other non-lethal programs to improve human-shark interaction, such as increased community engagement and education.

Make your submission online here.

You will be making a submission to the "Public Environmental Review of the Western Australian Shark Hazard Mitigation Drum Line Program 2014-17"

Alternatively, submissions can be:

• Posted to: Chairman, Environmental Protection Authority, Locked Bag 10, EAST PERTH WA 6892; or
• Delivered to the Environmental Protection Authority, Level 4, The Atrium, 168 St Georges Terrace, Perth.

If you have any questions on how to make a submission, please email