It is in Sea Shepherd's opinion that any lethal form of shark mitigation in Australia must be replaced by non lethal alternatives in order to minimise impact on the ocean environment in addition to providing ocean users with credible protection solutions rather than a false sense of security. There is no silver bullet to solve the human-shark interaction situation however a suite of options can be deployed to minimise the risk. As it stands presently with current lethal shark mitigation methods along with commercial and recreational fishing, the impact on our ocean ecosystem is not sustainable and is contributing to the eventual extinction of many species of sharks and other ocean life. Given that the Queensland and New South Wales shark control programs would undoubtedly be rejected under the current EPBC Act should it be considered today, the Senate inquiry must consider the Federal and State environmental obligations how, in 2017, it is justifiable to ignore these for a program that has proven not to work.

Given that there is scientific data illustrating the importance of sharks in keeping oceans healthy and the frightening figures of a 90% decline in some species of shark, the inquiry must look into the ongoing effects of continuing to target and remove sharks through these programs and to be able to clearly advise when too many sharks have been killed, or in other words, when enough is enough and we have reached a tipping point whereby the destruction has been too detrimental. The inquiry needs to also consider the ongoing issues associated with the management agencies, the fact that reviews are being delayed by years, and how trigger points are currently calculated. Funding must be redirected towards initiatives that already work and towards more research and development into non-lethal shark mitigation alternatives that will have long term and lasting impacts in protecting ocean users and ocean life instead of programs that provide nothing but a false sense of safety. Funding is also critical for scientists to continue their work in further understanding the movements and habits of sharks in waterways around Australia. Further public education is essential to overcome the fear which still exists within the community (and actively peddled by the media) around sharks and the critical role they play in our oceans in addition to empowering ocean users to make the choice whether they wish to enter the water or not. Education is also critical to counter the anti-shark messages often reported in the media which aim to misinform and continue to create an anti-science and anti-conservation sentiment. Thorough and effective policies at a state and federal level is also required to deliver effective shark mitigation across Australia. Current state and federal environmental legislation must be strengthened, adhered to and exemptions banned from being granted which weaken the protection for ocean life. When it comes to shark mitigation in Australia we do not have to choose one side over the other, it is possible for the public to recreate safely in the water and ocean life to be protected from potential death.

A two week feasibility study at Wategoes Beach in Byron Bay was commissioned by Byron Shire Council and Tamara Smith MP to determine if a shark spotting program would be suitable to be implemented at beaches within the council jurisdiction. Wategos Beach is an ideal shark spotting location due to its geographical and environmental features and was identified by Shark Spotters as a location which met several criteria needed for prime shark spotting. A number of marine animals were spotted from the headlands while the public recreated in the ocean up to 500m offshore. A highly trained shark spotting crew would provide ocean users peace of mind while also collecting important data which could be used for scientific research. Additionally, given that Byron Bay is known as an eco friendly tourism destination due to its rich ocean biodiversity, it is highly recommended that a shark spotting program be applied as an effective ocean user safety measure which minimises impact on the ocean environment compared to traditional shark meshing and drum lines currently in place at 51 locations within the NSW Shark Meshing Program and recently off beaches in Ballina, Lennox Head and Evans Head.

Sea Shepherd has slammed the Queensland Department of Fisheries’ proposal to increase drum lines in the Great Barrier Reef in a submission to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, stating that the proposal would add further pressures to the already fragile reef.

The submission, written by National Shark Campaign Coordinator for Sea Shepherd, Natalie Banks specifies the lack of justification for the proposed increased of approximately 65 drum lines into the World Heritage site; stipulating that there has not been an unwanted shark encounter within the famous tourist site, for almost 30 years.

“It is absolutely ludicrous and completely backward thinking to have Queensland looking to increase the use of 1960’s lethal measures to reduce shark encounters, where globally the rest of the world is turning to modernised, non-lethal techniques,” Natalie said.

“We simply can not afford to continue to mess with one of Australia’s most famous natural marine heritage sites and it’s marine life.”

Sea Shepherd has been lobbying against the use of drum lines and shark nets in Queensland and New South Wales, due to the indiscriminate way they catch and kill innocent marine life. Earlier this year, the organisation held an online petition against the use of drum lines and shark nets within the Great Barrier Reef, which attracted over 34,500 signatures.

Freedom of Information documents earlier this year revealed that the 365 drum lines and 30 shark nets in Queensland has snared over 84,800 marine animals in the state, including over 5,000 turtles, 1,014 dolphins, nearly 700 dugongs and 120 whales – all of which are federally protected marine species.

Pressure from conservation groups, scientists and the community has seen New South Wales Premier, Mike Baird introduce a $16 million non-lethal trial of various options within the northern area of the state. However the Queensland Government is turning a blind eye, pressing on with a program that was found not to work in Hawaii and which would have caused such unknown environmental impacts, that the Western Australian Government was forced to abandon its drum lining program last year.

“Too often fears and unfounded opinions are being heard over that of scientific facts, real long-term effective solutions and the important ecological role that sharks play in our oceans,” Natalie said.

“In the case of the Great Barrier Reef specifically, 93% of drum lines are in place where there has never been an unwanted shark encounter. It’s time we moved away from so-called solutions which merely provide a false sense of security and embrace scientifically founded non-lethal techniques instead ”

It is in my view that due to the environmental impacts and the alternative non- lethal options available, the Shark Meshing Program in New South Wales is unjustified. The very fact that the scientific committees are being ignored when they raise serious concerns about the program after annual reports have been filed, shows the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries is not taking this program seriously and is guided by something other than environmental concerns, science and the long-term sustainability of our resources for future generations.

Finally, by now, we must be better than 1930’s technology that kills precious marine life and offers a false security for ocean users. It is NOT the shark meshing program that is protecting ocean users, but the advances in medical response times and medical technology.