News of whales recently caught in shark nets in Queensland has travelled across the seas to friends and colleagues globally. As an Australian living overseas and working in marine conservation, I am often asked about these shark nets and why they are in place. The reactions vary, but one thing that remains consistent is that every single person I liaise with believes that these shark nets should be removed during the whale migration in Australia. It appears to be “common” sense, given that this time of the year is also when beach numbers are usually lower, and that the migration occurs during Australia’s winter months where weather patterns such as storms and strong winds, usually result in the government having to remove the shark control measures for days at a time. In fact, New South Wales and even South Africa remove their nets during migration patterns that impact whales.
It is beyond the pale that on one hand, Australia is seen by its own Environment Department as a leader for the protection and conservation of cetaceans and is focussing on whale numbers rebounding, yet on the other hand, is seen at least in one state, to do very little to reduce whale entanglements. Australia is known globally for its wealth of marine life and many people I speak to, talk to me about the hope that they will get to visit and see Australia one day, but they want to see the amazing whales migrate free and alive, up and down the coastline as they migrate to and from Antarctica. They are horrified to hear that instead of seeing this, they may end up seeing whales thrashing about, attempting to set themselves free from a mesh net that the government has placed there. Further more, they are bewildered to hear that a man trying to help free such a majestic animal, which attracts scores of tourists to Australia, would face a $60,000AU fine.
The Gold Coast is well known overseas as having some wonderful beaches, fantastic theme parks and a great vibe, but the shimmering light is starting to dull at a time when Australia should be doing all it can to boost the tourism economy. Too often, the Australian Government will simply rest on their laurels and claim that the shark nets are in place to protect tourism, well, ignoring the fact that the focus should be on local beach protection, its arguable that they are in fact hurting the very thing that they are trying to protect.
Shark nets have been in place in Queensland since the 1950’s. There is no reason that can outmatch the “common” sense argument that shark nets should be removed in Queensland during whale migration, particularly when concerns of shark encounters can be mitigated by a range of non-lethal alternatives such as drones, personal shark repellents and a raft of other options, highlighted by the Australian Senate inquiry into shark mitigation and deterrent measures three years ago.
Let Australia truly be the leader for the protection and conservation of cetaceans, save the whales and save the international embarrassment that comes from every time a whale is caught in these nets.