Shark attacks: Western Australia pledges ‘more aggressive’ response
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Version 0 of 1. The Western Australian government has pledged a “faster, more aggressive” response to shark attacks, vowing to hunt down large sharks that enter popular swimming areas. Shark “management zones” will be set up along the WA coast in a bid to reduce risks to people, following the recent death of surfer Chris Boyd in Margaret River – the eleventh fatal attack in WA waters in the past decade. Baited drum lines, designed to attract sharks, will be strung up 1km from the shores of heavily used beaches to catch sharks more than three metres in length. The lines will be in place 24 hours a day, initially from January to April next year. An increased number of vessels will be used to monitor these barriers, with professional fisherman automatically hunting down and killing any large shark they spot. Should a shark attack a swimmer or surfer, the WA government said there would be a swift and deadly response from the boats that will patrol stretches of coastline popular with beachgoers. The plan is the latest attempt by the WA government to quell calls for a full-scale shark cull. More than $20m has been spent on a range of practices, such as increased aerial patrols, since last year. Several marine biologists have questioned the WA government’s stance on the issue, pointing out that the pre-emptive killing of sharks is a response based on “emotion rather than scientific data”. However, Troy Buswell, WA’s fisheries minister, said that while the risk of shark attack couldn’t be entirely eliminated, the measures would help reduce risks for people in the water. “The preservation of human life is our number one priority and these measures are designed to do that, with minimum impact to the surrounding environment,” he said. "This does not represent a culling of sharks. It is not a fear-driven hunt, it is a targeted, localised shark mitigation strategy." Buswell admitted the plans were unlikely to be warmly welcomed by environmental groups but said federal environment minister Greg Hunt was “comfortable” with the new plan. Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |