Omari Gates
Western Australia's policy on shark culling has been a highly controversial topic, with the state government implementing a control program in 2014 that involved culling target shark species following several fatal shark attacks. The policy, known as the catch-and-kill policy, aimed to protect human swimmers by capturing and killing large sharks near swimming beaches using baited drum lines. However, it faced strong opposition from animal rights activists, environmentalists, scientists, and political parties, who criticized it as cruel, unnecessary, environmentally irresponsible, and ineffective in reducing shark attacks. In 2014, the Western Australian Environment Protection Authority recommended abandoning the drum lines, and the state began introducing non-lethal measures, such as drone monitoring and eco barriers. Despite the policy's abandonment, Western Australia has reserved the right to implement shark culling in emergency situations of imminent shark threat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Term | Western Australian shark cull |
| Policy Started | 2014 |
| Reason | To protect human swimmers from shark attacks |
| Previous Measures | Drum lines |
| Current Measures | Drone monitoring, eco barriers, electronic tagging and tracking, subsidizing personal shark deterrent devices |
| Opposition | Animal rights activists, marine scientists, Australian Labor Party, Australian Greens, scuba divers, ocean users, celebrities, athletes, shark attack survivors |
| Concerns | Cruel, unnecessary, unscientific, environmentally irresponsible, ineffective at reducing shark attacks, bycatch, impact on declining shark populations, attraction of sharks to beaches |
| Support | Premier Colin Barnett, Premier at the time Colin Barnett |
| Outcome | Abandoned in favour of non-lethal alternatives |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia's shark culling policy
Western Australia's policy on shark culling, also known as the "catch-and-kill" policy, was introduced in 2014 following a series of fatal shark attacks. The policy involved the use of baited drum lines to capture and kill large sharks near popular beaches. The state government's decision to implement this policy was driven by the goal of protecting human swimmers from shark attacks, particularly after the deaths of seven people on the Western Australian coastline between 2010 and 2013.
The policy has faced significant opposition and criticism from various groups, including animal rights activists, environmentalists, scientists, and politicians. Opponents argue that the culling of sharks, especially protected species like the great white shark, is inhumane, environmentally irresponsible, and unnecessary. They also raise concerns about the impact on the marine ecosystem, including the bycatch and drowning of other marine species such as turtles, stingrays, dolphins, and smaller sharks.
In response to the public backlash and following a recommendation from the Western Australian Environment Protection Authority (WA EPA), the state government abandoned the seasonal setting of drum lines in September 2014. However, from December 2014 to March 2017, the government reserved the right to deploy drum lines in cases where sharks posed a serious threat to public safety. This policy allowed them to kill "high-hazard" sharks deemed to be an imminent threat to humans.
Since then, Western Australia has shifted towards non-lethal alternatives for shark control. These include drone monitoring, "eco barriers" or swimming enclosures that keep marine life out without risking entanglement, and electronic tagging and tracking of sharks. The government also subsidizes "personal shark deterrent" devices that emit electrical waves to cause muscle spasms in sharks, aiming to reduce the risk of shark interactions without causing harm.
While the controversial catch-and-kill policy has been discontinued, the debate around shark culling in Western Australia remains ongoing. Some continue to argue for the effectiveness of lethal shark control measures in reducing shark attacks, while others advocate for a focus on non-lethal strategies and public education to strike a balance between human safety and marine ecosystem preservation.
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Public opposition and protests
The Western Australian shark cull policy has faced significant public opposition and protests since its implementation in 2014. The policy, which involves capturing and killing large sharks near popular swimming beaches, has been criticised as inhumane, environmentally irresponsible, and ineffective in reducing shark attacks.
National public demonstrations and protests against the policy have attracted international attention and support. Scuba diver Natalie Banks organised two national days of action, which saw thousands of Australians protest across the country, with the largest turnouts at Perth's Cottesloe Beach and Manly, New South Wales. Smaller demonstrations also took place in other cities and even in New Zealand and South Africa. The protests were not without controversy, as some protesters were criticised for threatening the lives of cabinet ministers and a fisherman's family.
Several marine scientists from the University of Western Australia, including Jessica Meeuwig, Shaun Collin, and Ryan Kempster, have publicly expressed their concerns about the policy. They argue that such culls are cruel, unnecessary, unscientific, speciesist, and damaging to the marine ecosystem. The Australian Labor Party and the Australian Greens political party also opposed the cull. Additionally, celebrities such as surfer Kelly Slater, golfer Greg Norman, and actor Stephen Fry have voiced their opposition to the policy.
Environmental and animal rights groups have also been vocal in their opposition to the policy. Groups such as the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, No Shark Cull Inc., Humane Society International, and Greenpeace Australia have criticised the policy as cruel and unnecessary. The WA government's decision to end the cull policy in 2014 was welcomed by these groups, although some remained concerned about the approval of the "imminent threat" policy, which allows for the capture and killing of sharks posing a direct threat.
In summary, the Western Australian shark cull policy has faced widespread public opposition and protests from various groups, including scientists, environmentalists, celebrities, and the general public. Their concerns range from ethical and environmental issues to the effectiveness of the policy in reducing shark attacks. The protests and demonstrations played a role in the WA government's decision to end the systematic cull policy, although the government has reserved the right to implement it in emergency situations.
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Government response to criticism
The Western Australian shark cull policy has faced significant criticism from various groups and individuals, including animal rights activists, environmentalists, scientists, and politicians. In response to this criticism, the Western Australian government and supporters of the policy have offered several arguments and justifications.
One of the main responses from the government is that the shark culling program is necessary to protect human swimmers from shark attacks and reduce the risk of fatalities. The government implemented the policy in 2014 following a series of fatal shark attacks, with seven deaths recorded between 2010 and 2013. Supporters of the policy argue that shark control measures such as drum lines have historically shown a substantial reduction in shark attacks when used consistently. For example, in Durban, South Africa, there were no recorded shark attacks after the introduction of nets in 1952, compared to at least one fatal attack every year before that.
However, opponents of the policy, including marine scientists, argue that the culling is cruel, unnecessary, and unscientific. They express concerns about the environmental impact of the cull, including the bycatch of other marine species such as turtles, dolphins, and endangered shark species. They also believe that drum lines may attract sharks to popular beaches and that there are more effective non-lethal alternatives, such as drone monitoring, eco-barriers, and personal shark deterrent devices.
The government has dismissed these concerns, with Premier Colin Barnett describing the public opposition as "ludicrous" and "extreme." Barnett defended the policy as a targeted, localized, hazard mitigation strategy rather than culling. He also signaled that he would continue the "catch and kill" policy for individual sharks posing a threat to public safety. In response to the criticism, the government worked with environmental groups to introduce non-lethal measures, such as electronically tagging and tracking sharks, using drone technology for surveillance, and setting up eco-barriers.
Despite the government's defense of the policy, it faced widespread public protests and international attention. Thousands of Australians participated in national days of action organized by scuba diver Natalie Banks, and notable celebrities and athletes also called for the policy to be scrapped. Additionally, the Leader of the Opposition, Mark McGowan, and Opposition Fisheries Spokesperson, Dave Kelly, publicly denounced the policy.
In 2014, the Western Australian Environment Protection Authority (WA EPA) recommended abandoning the use of drum lines, and the government eventually conceded, announcing an end to the catch-and-kill policy. However, the government reserved the right to implement the policy again in emergency situations of "imminent shark threat." This decision was met with mixed reactions, with some groups welcoming it and others expressing disappointment.
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Environmental impact and ecological concerns
The Western Australian shark cull policy has attracted widespread criticism from environmentalists and animal rights activists. The policy, implemented in 2014, involved the use of baited drum lines to capture and kill large sharks near popular beaches. This was done in response to a series of fatal shark attacks involving humans along the state's coastline. However, opponents of the policy argue that it is inhumane, environmentally irresponsible, and ineffective in reducing shark attacks.
One of the main environmental concerns is the impact on non-target species, known as bycatch. In addition to the targeted sharks, other marine animals such as turtles, stingrays, dolphins, and smaller sharks can become entangled and drown in the nets. This results in the unnecessary death of a large number of marine animals, disrupting the marine ecosystem.
The culling of sharks, particularly the great white shark, a federally protected species listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List, has also been criticised. The decline in great white shark populations has global implications, and culling can further endanger this vulnerable species. Additionally, there are concerns that drum lines may attract sharks to popular beaches, increasing the risk of shark attacks rather than reducing them.
Western Australia's shark culling policy has also faced opposition due to its potential counterproductive nature. Some believe that culling sharks can draw them closer to beaches, increasing the risk of encounters with humans. This is supported by research showing that shark nets can act as a "floating buffet," attracting sharks rather than deterring them.
In response to the environmental and ecological concerns, Western Australia has abandoned the shark culling program and adopted non-lethal alternatives. These include drone monitoring, "eco barriers" or swimming enclosures that keep marine life out without risking entanglement, and electronic tagging and tracking of sharks. The government also subsidises "personal shark deterrent" devices that emit electrical waves to cause muscle spasms in sharks, offering a non-lethal method of shark control.
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Non-lethal alternatives and beach safety strategies
Western Australia has abandoned its shark culling policy in favour of non-lethal alternatives and beach safety strategies. The state government has faced opposition from various groups and individuals, including animal rights activists, environmentalists, scientists, and politicians, who have criticised the policy as cruel, unnecessary, environmentally irresponsible, and ineffective in reducing shark attacks.
- Drone technology: Surveillance drones equipped with artificial intelligence systems can detect sharks visually and alert swimmers via alarms. This technology is being trialled in popular beaches in New South Wales and Queensland.
- Eco-barriers: These are swimming enclosures that keep marine life out while eliminating the risk of entanglement.
- Shark tagging and tracking: Electronically tagging and tracking sharks allows for better monitoring and understanding of their movements.
- SMART drum lines: This is an acronym for "shark management alert in real time". It incorporates an electronic communications system that transmits the shark's position to an operating team, who can respond as needed.
- Personal shark deterrent devices: The Western Australian government subsidises these devices, which emit electrical waves intended to cause uncomfortable muscle spasms in sharks.
- Public education and shark threat education programs: Educating the public about shark behaviour and how to minimise the risk of interactions can improve beach safety.
- Early notification systems and warnings: Implementing effective warning systems can help beachgoers make informed decisions and take precautions when there is a potential shark threat.
These non-lethal strategies aim to balance the need for beach safety with the conservation of shark populations and the protection of the marine ecosystem.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia has abandoned its shark culling policy.
The Western Australian shark culling policy was a government policy of capturing and killing large sharks near popular beaches using baited drum lines.
The shark culling policy was introduced in 2014 following seven fatal shark attacks between 2010 and 2013.
The policy was controversial because it was criticised as being cruel, unnecessary, unscientific, environmentally irresponsible, and ineffective at reducing shark attacks.
Western Australia now uses non-lethal alternatives such as drone monitoring, electronically tagging and tracking sharks, and setting up ""eco barriers", which are swimming enclosures that keep marine life out.
