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Western Australia shark cull condemned as futile after attacks fall Western Australia shark cull condemned as futile after attacks fall
(6 months later)
Western Western Australia’s shark cull has been condemned as futile by international experts as it emerged that attacks in Australia have fallen to their lowest level in five years.
Australia’s shark cull has been condemned as futile by international There were 10 shark attacks in Australian waters in 2013 – the lowest annual total since nine in 2008 and lower than the 12.3 average attacks per year during the past 10 years (2003-2012), according to researchers at the University of Florida.
experts as it emerged that attacks in Australia have fallen to their
lowest level in five years.
There
were 10 shark attacks in Australian waters in 2013 – the lowest annual
total since nine in 2008 and lower than the 12.3 average attacks per
year during the past 10 years (2003-2012), according to researchers at
the University of Florida.
Australia’s two fatalities in 2013 are in line with its 1.4 yearly average over the same time period.Australia’s two fatalities in 2013 are in line with its 1.4 yearly average over the same time period.
George Burgess, of the university’s International Shark Attack File, who also revealed that Florida led the world in shark attacks last year with 23, said WA’s controversial shark cull would not result in fewer attacks.George Burgess, of the university’s International Shark Attack File, who also revealed that Florida led the world in shark attacks last year with 23, said WA’s controversial shark cull would not result in fewer attacks.
“Even “Even if one ignores that an endangered species is involved, the archaic reaction can only be characterised as revenge killings,” Burgess said.
if one ignores that an endangered species is involved, the archaic “Although infrequent, shark attacks are high-profile events that excite the emotions of human beings and often impact a community.
reaction can only be characterised as revenge killings,” Burgess said.
“Although
infrequent, shark attacks are high-profile events that excite the
emotions of human beings and often impact a community.
“Killing 10 sharks after a death is not the answer as it does not result in reduced attacks.’’“Killing 10 sharks after a death is not the answer as it does not result in reduced attacks.’’
His His comments came as more details emerged about the WA cull. Seventeen tiger sharks have been caught on drum lines and killed, the state’s Department of Fisheries said. Nine sharks have also been found dead on the drum lines.
comments came as more details emerged about the WA cull. Seventeen In total, 66 sharks have been caught – 23 in the south-west and 43 in the metropolitan area. Sixty-three were tiger sharks, two were mako and one was a blacktip.
tiger sharks have been caught on drum lines and killed, the state’s A local contractor has disposed of 13 tiger sharks more than three metres in length and has released six smaller sharks since January 25.
Department of Fisheries said. Nine sharks have also been found dead on Department crews have disposed of four tiger sharks since February 1 and released 34, of which 28 were tagged to assist with research and shark tracking.
the drum lines. Under the policy, bull, tiger and great white sharks longer than three metres that are caught on drum lines within one kilometre of parts of the WA coast are being shot dead and discarded at sea.
In The WA fisheries minister, Ken Baston, said results showed the methods were working well. “We have caught and destroyed a number of large sharks within one kilometre of selected beaches at a time of year when our beaches are crowded,” he said.
total, 66 sharks have been caught – 23 in the south-west and 43 in the The ISAF acknowledged that Western Australia, with six deaths in the past four years, remained a “shark-attack hot spot”.
metropolitan area. Sixty-three were tiger sharks, two were mako and one Overall, in 2013 the world experienced the lowest number of shark attacks since 2009, although last year’s 10 fatalities were above average.
was a blacktip.
A local contractor has disposed of 13 tiger sharks more than three
metres in length and has released six smaller sharks since January 25.
Department
crews have disposed of four tiger sharks since February 1 and released
34, of which 28 were tagged to assist with research and shark tracking.
Under
the policy, bull, tiger and great white sharks longer than three metres
that are caught on drum lines within one kilometre of parts of the WA
coast are being shot dead and discarded at sea.
The
WA fisheries minister, Ken Baston, said results showed the methods were
working well. “We have caught and destroyed a number of large sharks
within one kilometre of selected beaches at a time of year when our
beaches are crowded,” he said.
The
ISAF acknowledged that Western Australia, with six deaths in the past
four years, remained a “shark-attack hot spot”.
Overall,
in 2013 the world experienced the lowest number of shark attacks since
2009, although last year’s 10 fatalities were above average.
The US had the most attacks, 47, but it was lower than its 2012 total of 54.The US had the most attacks, 47, but it was lower than its 2012 total of 54.