“The Shark Cull”

A South Australian perspective

October 2014

Dan Monceaux, Secretary

Marine Life Society of South Australia Inc.mlssa.org.au

Western Australia, 2014

● Drum lines set at multiple sites in January● Results: 172 caught, 68 killed (mostly Tiger)● Number of attacks averted?● Drum lines withdrawn in April (as planned)

● 3-year drum line plan withdrawn in October● Emergency response policy established

Emergency response policy?

● PerthNow, October 5, 2014

Who loses in a 'cull'?

● Protected shark species (Great white)● Sharks of conservation concern (Great white,

grey nurse and hammerheads)● Protected dolphins, whales, turtles and dugong● Prey populations*● Shark viewing tourism operators

...and the taxpaying public?

Who benefits from a 'cull' psychologically?

● Doubters of personal shark protection strategies

● Some grieving friends/relatives of victims

● People whose fear of sharks is irrational

“It was an emotional sense of relief when I heard that two (Great white sharks) had been caught. Yes, they are protected, but to a certain degree we need to be protected too. I think all of those people that are saying we should not kill the sharks should come and experience what we experienced.”

- Ross Tamlin, Esperance surfer who helped Sean Pollard following his attack.

PerthNow, October 5th 2014.

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Who benefits from a 'cull' financially?

● Contractors who service nets and drum lines● Fisheries who interact with sharks● Regional businesses which could gain from

increased surfing and spear-fishing activity● Sea cage aquaculture operators (tuna and

kingfish)

Tuna & Kingfish Farming

● “White sharks are sometimes captured in tuna tow and farm cages. Unsubstantiated reports suggest that there may be as many as 10-20 interactions per year; however, records are sparse and often unobtainable.”

- FRDC workshop paper, 2002

● 'Tuna Baron' Hagen Stehr has described "shark attacks and tuna disappearing" and has said that his company "fought against White pointers."

- The Australian, Feb. 2010

● Image: Tuna pen and dead Great white shark, Port Lincoln - ATRT Tuna Ranching Intelligence Unit, Nov. 2005

What are the alternatives?

● Increased public education efforts● Beach patrols● Shark tracking studies & alert systems● Shark behavioural studies● Creation of 'ocean pools' or netted swimming

enclosures● Personal shark protection equipment/wetsuits

Personal Shark Protection

Personal Shark Protection

Personal Shark Protection

“The Shark Cull”

● Stay safe, ● Respect the ocean ● and enjoy the film!

Dan Monceaux, Secretary

Marine Life Society of South Australia Inc.mlssa.org.au

A South Australian perspective