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WA shark cull to continue after Sea Shepherd legal challenge fails WA shark cull to continue after Sea Shepherd legal challenge fails
(about 5 hours later)
Baited hooks aimed at catching sharks who stray close to popular West Australian beaches will remain in the water, after a legal challenge by marine activists Sea Shepherd failed.Baited hooks aimed at catching sharks who stray close to popular West Australian beaches will remain in the water, after a legal challenge by marine activists Sea Shepherd failed.
The WA supreme court on Wednesday evening denied Sea Shepherd’s bid for a judicial review of the shark-cull policy on grounds it had been rolled out following an incorrect legal process. The activists were also seeking an injunction to have the baited drum lines immediately removed pending the review.The WA supreme court on Wednesday evening denied Sea Shepherd’s bid for a judicial review of the shark-cull policy on grounds it had been rolled out following an incorrect legal process. The activists were also seeking an injunction to have the baited drum lines immediately removed pending the review.
Speaking outside court, Sea Shepherd managing director Jeff Hansen said the activists felt obligated to “have a crack” at the case, and were determine to continue fighting the cull. “We will not cease in our efforts until these cruel, barbaric, unsafe and environmentally unsustainable drum lines are removed permanently,” he said.Speaking outside court, Sea Shepherd managing director Jeff Hansen said the activists felt obligated to “have a crack” at the case, and were determine to continue fighting the cull. “We will not cease in our efforts until these cruel, barbaric, unsafe and environmentally unsustainable drum lines are removed permanently,” he said.
“What next can be targeted? Whether it’s whales or dolphins, can they simply have exemptions to kill these animals as well? These are protected animals off our coast that play a vital role in the health of our oceans.”“What next can be targeted? Whether it’s whales or dolphins, can they simply have exemptions to kill these animals as well? These are protected animals off our coast that play a vital role in the health of our oceans.”
WA premier Colin Barnett welcomed the decision, saying Sea Shepherd’s case rested on legal technicalities, and that the policy was introduced following a rigorous process in expectation of legal challenges.WA premier Colin Barnett welcomed the decision, saying Sea Shepherd’s case rested on legal technicalities, and that the policy was introduced following a rigorous process in expectation of legal challenges.
WA Greens senator Lynn Maclaren said the decision was upsetting for the majority of Australians, whom polls suggest are opposed to the cull. “This is also concerning for those that feel unsafe swimming in WA waters with a ‘meat curtain’ hanging just 1km off our popular beaches”. WA Greens MLC Lynn Maclaren said the decision was upsetting for the majority of Australians, whom polls suggest are opposed to the cull. “This is also concerning for those that feel unsafe swimming in WA waters with a ‘meat curtain’ hanging just 1km off our popular beaches”.
In January, the WA government established shark “kill zones” off eight popular beaches in Perth and the state’s south west, following seven fatal shark attacks in three years. Bull, tiger and great white sharks longer than 3m that are caught on baited hooks inside the zones can be killed.In January, the WA government established shark “kill zones” off eight popular beaches in Perth and the state’s south west, following seven fatal shark attacks in three years. Bull, tiger and great white sharks longer than 3m that are caught on baited hooks inside the zones can be killed.
Earlier on Wednesday, the federal environment minister, Greg Hunt, announced that the shark cull policy would have to undergo a full environmental assessment in order to continue after its initial trial period ends on 30 April.Earlier on Wednesday, the federal environment minister, Greg Hunt, announced that the shark cull policy would have to undergo a full environmental assessment in order to continue after its initial trial period ends on 30 April.
Hunt said the issue “has highlighted the need for further research into the shark population off the Australian coast”. He announced funding for a project that would “aim to locate juvenile and nursery aggregation areas to enable genetic and electronic tagging to build a greater profile of the population and trends,” he said.Hunt said the issue “has highlighted the need for further research into the shark population off the Australian coast”. He announced funding for a project that would “aim to locate juvenile and nursery aggregation areas to enable genetic and electronic tagging to build a greater profile of the population and trends,” he said.
The WA government’s lawyers will seek costs for the cause, slugging Sea Shepherd with a bill of up to $19,000. But Hansen says it was worth it.The WA government’s lawyers will seek costs for the cause, slugging Sea Shepherd with a bill of up to $19,000. But Hansen says it was worth it.
“We had to have a shot at this,” he said. “We will continue no matter what because we have right on our side.”“We had to have a shot at this,” he said. “We will continue no matter what because we have right on our side.”