Managing environmental impacts of shark control

Conserving marine life

Shark nets and drumlines are designed to catch target sharks but sometimes other marine animals are caught.

We continually review our operational processes and use the latest research and technology to minimise the impact of shark nets and drumlines on non-target sharks and other marine animals.

We aim to minimise impact on other marine life by:

• using shark control contractors to regularly check nets and drumlines for captured animals, and releasing non-target shark species and other animals alive whenever possible
• using drumlines instead of nets where possible, as marine mammals are less likely to be entangled in drumlines
• using electronic warning devices (pingers) to deter whales and dolphins from swimming near nets and drumlines
• using alternative baits or apparatus configurations to reduce the incidences of dolphins and turtles being caught on drumlines or in nets
• conducting a comparative trial of circle hooks and J hooks to assess the effect on catches of target sharks, non-target sharks and other marine animals.

Captured animals

All sharks and other animals captured on drumlines in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park are released alive, whenever possible and safe to do so. Bull, tiger and white sharks are also tagged before release, whenever possible and safe to do so.

Target shark species caught on nets and drumlines in all other Queensland coastal areas outside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park are euthanised. All non-target shark species and other animals are released alive whenever possible.

We record all animals captured in nets, drumlines and catch alert drumlines.

Marine Animal Release Teams (MART)

Fisheries Queensland Marine Animal Release Teams (MART) are located on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Mackay. MART consist of staff from the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol.

MART members are highly trained and their equipment is specifically designed for releasing marine animals from nets and drumlines. We ask other water users to give MART the time and space to do their work to give entangled animals the best chance of being released quickly and safely.

Responding to entangled animals

We respond as quickly as possible to reports of entangled animals, depending on weather (e.g. wind) and ocean conditions.

We follow these steps when you call us on the Shark Control Program Hotline.

Step 1: Record details and verify report

We record details of the suspected entangled animal (including date, time, location and description of animal).

We verify the report by checking our network of coastal cameras which monitor nets and drumlines, speaking with lifeguards and life savers on the beach or calling our network of volunteer whale observers who view the nets and drumlines from their high-rise apartments.

If our shark control contractor is on the water at the time, we call on them to check the net or drumline where you reported the entangled animal.

The safety of people comes first. Our crews do not launch into the water if there is inclement weather, impending darkness, or another issue which may put their safety at risk.

Step 2: Launch on-water crew to respond to entangled animal

MART and/or the shark control contractor launches a boat to travel out to the entangled animal. Sea World may also assist on the Gold Coast.

Our teams draw on their training and use special equipment from on-board boats to release entangled animals from nets or drumlines.

The behaviour of humpback whales can be unpredictable. Therefore, it is unsafe for our teams to enter the water near such a large animal.

Whale releases can take some time. We ask other water users to give our teams the time and space to do their work, to give the animal the best chance of being released quickly and safely.

Step 3: Release animal, observe and debrief

MART, the shark control contractor and/or Sea World removes the entangled equipment from the animal.

Our teams observe the animal as it swims away to check it is moving freely.

A team debriefing is conducted to review the release process.

Partners

We appreciate and acknowledge:

• Surf Life Saving Queensland, the Australian Lifeguard Service and Gold Coast City Council, whose lifesavers and lifeguards observe nets and drumlines from the beach or travel out to inspect equipment via watercraft
• volunteer whale observers, who are residents in high-rise apartments on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts who are trained to identify and confirm entanglements
• Sea World, who provides support during animal releases and expert advice to Fisheries Queensland
• MART members from the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol
• local government and local tourism organisations.