The West Australian state government will consider bringing drum lines and baited hooks closer to shore if it gains approval for a three year extension of its Shark Mitigation Policy.
It will also push for a wider exclusion zone around the lines and contractor vessels responsible for the daily monitoring of the hooks, a move conservation groups say will make it difficult for “independent observers” to “witness” proceedings.
Surfing WA has offered its full support of the program, but the issue has divided surfers and locals in the south west.
Chairman of Surfing WA Bob Welch said it had asked its members, which include board-riding clubs in the southwest, to consider their own opinion before the organisation issued a public statement on its position.
“We didn’t receive one negative comment. It was our down south members that started us off on this a couple of years back,” Mr Welch said.
“We did receive heaps of negative feedback from pro-shark groups and some abusive phone threats to staff members when we first went public with the position statement.”
But Margaret River surfer Rae Marie Threnoworth opposed the program, saying she “felt uneasy knowing that baited hooks were in the water,’’ after the initial deployment in November last year.
“How do we know that bigger sharks weren’t attracted to any smaller sharks left bleeding over night on the hook?” Ms Threnoworth said.
“What protection is given to surfers that get in the water before the drum lines have been checked?”
She urged the government to consider alternative methods including personal shark deterrent devices.
“I have tremendous sympathy for those who have lost loved ones…my opposition to the drum lines is in no way in disrespect to them or their family.”
Former professional surfer and Gracetown resident, Dave Macaulay also welcomed the program and said he considered leaving the area following the death of local surfer Chris Boyd, who was attacked by a shark while surfing at Umbis in November last year.
“It was the third fatal shark attack in 10 years within two kilometres of our family house,” Macaulay said.
“I have four kids who all surf and naturally I want them to be safe. The shark issue is always in the back of your mind around here.”
The government released its own review of the program, which had planned to capture and kill “Any great white, bull or tiger shark longer than three metres” in a bid to reduce the risk of further shark attacks.
The review reported it had failed to capture any great white sharks, but 64 tigers sharks and four short fin mako sharks were either killed upon catch or died while caught on baited hooks and one bull shark was also caught and released.
99 tiger sharks were also caught and released.
The report identifies tiger sharks as “one of three species accounting for almost all fatalities from shark attack over the last 30 years.” (Page seven of the report)
It also states the multi million-dollar program is “fundamentally about protecting water users and not primarily about killing sharks.” (Page eight of the report)
“The policy is a response to an unprecedented rate of shark fatalities in WA in the past three and a half years for which science does not offer a conclusive explanation.”
As part of recommendations for further programs, the report states “consideration should be given to bringing the drum lines closer to shore, one kilometre is too far out,” and that the “50 metre exclusion zone does not provide sufficient separation from protestor boats. There should also be an exclusion zone around the vessel servicing the drum lines.” (page 33 of the report)
Sea Shepard Shark Campaign coordinator Natalie Banks said the conservation group urged the government to reconsider extending the exclusion zone from the current distance of 50 metres to 100metres.
“It will make it more difficult to witness, document and highlight the flaws that have occurred previously with the drum line program,” Ms Banks said.
“In the previous trial we were able to highlight a lot of issues that the government is now improving on. So having independent observers is an important role in improving the policy.”
If given permission by Australia’s Federal Parliament, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett said the program would recommence in November.
Gracetown surfer Lucas Englert said he also generally supported the government’s drum line policy, but both questioned the location of the baited hooks and the time of year they will potentially be deployed.
“There obviously something going out there,” Mr Englert said.
“But the drum lines need to be out there now. November is too late.”
Mr Englert said he recalled an “uneasy” feeling between surfers while surfing spots in the Gracetown area with drum lines and contractor boats clearly visible from the line up.
“There’s absolutely no way those hooks were a kilometre off North Point,” he said.
“To think they might bring them (drum lines) in closer is a concern.”
A copy of the report can be found here.
