12 replies to this topic

[KirkD]

I just read this article on MSN:

http://worldnews.nbc...-just-that?lite

Kirk

[danielandrewclem]

Maybe the authorities will take a cue from the site's poll results and put this ridiculous idea back in the Stupid Ideas folder.

[KirkD]

You never know

[blaisedouros]

What a horrible idea. As though another shark wouldn't eventually arrive to hunt the same waters? This is a recipe for repetitive killing of whatever shark happens to be nearby.

Nobody is surprised when people get mauled while mucking around in lion country. Why is this any different? The answer is to respect the wild animals whose habitat you're invading, not to kill off all the wild animals.

I'm not saying that the people who were attacked were acting irresponsibly. However, I think it would certainly help if there were better guidelines in place and more education available as to when and where surfers and swimmers should exercise more discretion.

[gee13]

As the tourism $ drops, the premier resorts to desperate tactics...which wont really change things much... if there are more attacks due to drastic increase in shark numbers we would see regular fatality rates over a sustained period. The govt has failed to see the factor of people population explosion in the water. Less population in water - less contact - less incident. Im sure there have been lesser numbers in the water since the last attack. Well funny that its been some time in between incidents now...and lets hope its sometime because its starting to bring out the mindless lynch mob mentality which can be an unfortunate recessive trait in this part of the world..

Edited by gee13, 28 September 2012 - 05:11 PM.

[DamonA]

The article linked doesn't explain whats happened very well at all, seems to be just trying to bad mouth the Aussies as shark killing heathens! this article gives the rest of the quoted statement by an ABC radio journalist.

http://www.theaustra...e-1226482672726

They write of using baited drumlines to "control" beach going sharks- they already do that now!

Seems to me you could argue a case that putting set baits in the water near or adjacent to swimmers/surfers, would only attract sharks to beach areas.

Me- I would run an education regime during the whale season(articles on the ABC TV and radio in Western Australia) informing people about not surfing the dawn and dusk, not entering the water whilst fish schools are present on that beach or when whales are calfing, also get rid of the "burley lines". Banning divers shark feeding could also be thoughful. More aerial Shark monitering(small inexpensive, UAV with cameras http://www.aeronauti...r_mini_uav_muas) assign to any beaches SLSC would do more then anything else to quewl fear in the beach going public.

Heres the rest of the cherry picked article- from the australian newspaper,
"The Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) said the "guilty until proven innocent" approach was a knee jerk reaction to public concern that would harm the environment and would not protect swimmers.
"We urge the government not to use the new kill powers for sharks," CCWA marine co-ordinator Tim Nicol said.
"We are ... concerned that this policy perpetuates the fear that all large sharks are potential killers, when in fact we do not know this."
The Wilderness Society was also critical of "pre-emptive cullings", while ABC radio talkback callers flooded the phone lines, with many saying the best way to stay safe was to stay out of the shark's habitat.
Some said the strategies were vote-grabbing stunts.
Mr Barnett also on Thursday reiterated his opposition to shark nets because they posed a threat to marine life.
Instead, $2 million will go towards continuing shark tagging programs, including the use of GPS tracking systems, while $2 million will go into a research fund over four years.
Mr Nichol welcomed the research funding.
"If we want to reduce fear of swimming at our beaches, then we need to engage in research and education, not in killing with no purpose," he said.
"For example, we need to explain the times of year that are most dangerous because of oceanic events that attract large sharks to feed near shore, for example when snapper are spawning in Cockburn Sound."
University of WA, where researchers are developing shark attack deterrent wetsuits, also welcomed the research funding.
The government also pledged $200,000 for a feasibility study and trial of a beach enclosure to protect swimmers, $500,000 for extra jet skis for Surf Lifesaving WA, and $150,000 for community awareness programs, including a smartphone application."


Miguel Llanos, NBC News, should next time try to give a balanced article, not painting up Colin Barnett and Aussies as Phillistines!

Seems $hristians are more dangerous to the sharks then Colin is!

http://www.abc.net.a.../03/3560277.htm
"Talkback caller Gary feels that humans have a moral authority granted by the Bible to kill sharks.
The government is prepared to take a pragmatic view, says Mr Barnett. Sharks which are menacing or threatening should be destroyed, he believes. The government is prepared to look at shark nets and more aerial patrols.
Listen to the interview to hear the complete answers from Mr Barnett."

Edited by DamonA, 29 September 2012 - 03:46 PM.

[rramaley]

Next they will go ahead and open up a golf course in Kruger National Park and start killing the lions and elephants so they don't bother the golfers... I mean, why not, right? Humans rule the earth and have every right to do whatever they please, whenever they please, wherever they please and bugger the creatures who get in the way! (she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm....)

[gee13]

Irony is after the last 2 attacks the govt issued a hunt to kill order, baits were placed in the area and they couldnt locate any sharks for days let alone find the 'actual' shark responsible LOL

[DamonA]

http://www.abc.net.a...beaches/4263948
http://www.ipas.com.au/pages/Kingfisher%20Aviation%20Multi-Role%20Aerial%20Platform%20Brief.pdf


I like to see somebody make an electromagnetic net that doesn't hurt whales, but gives sharks the shits. Could be deployed around the flags area on a beach and connected to a generator on a 4X4.

Edited by DamonA, 13 October 2012 - 02:09 PM.

[kmo_underwater]

If it is any consolation, a number of white sharks have been spotted by helicopter or picked up by acoustic tags near to Perth swimming beaches since the announcement of funding for killing troublesome sharks, and none have been harmed. A dead whale even washed up on a popular swimming beach last week without any major panic.
As for education, the fisheries department does have this page, and it is quite often quoted when shark attacks/encounters are reported:
http://fish.wa.gov.a...es/default.aspx

[gee13]

Under 'report' shark sightings they have a pic of a 'menacing' nurse shark.

[kmo_underwater]

In an aquarium too

[DamonA]

If it is any consolation, a number of white sharks have been spotted by helicopter or picked up by acoustic tags near to Perth swimming beaches since the announcement of funding for killing troublesome sharks, and none have been harmed. A dead whale even washed up on a popular swimming beach last week without any major panic.
As for education, the fisheries department does have this page, and it is quite often quoted when shark attacks/encounters are reported:
http://fish.wa.gov.a...es/default.aspx

The drones are much more cost effective($130,000 all up) can be deployed easily at the location, fly lower then helicopters without alarming people, can drop a buoy on a location and even give an audio warning to people in the area.