PROS: Swimmers and surfers can be warned if a shark is detected close to shore. We need to take shark culling off the table and look for innovative, non-lethal shark control measures and better general public awareness to co-exist peacefully with sharks and other marine life. [22] Jessica Morris of Humane Society International calls shark culling a "knee-jerk reaction" and says, "sharks are top order predators that play an important role in the functioning of marine ecosystems. Long term shark control programs using shark nets and/or drum lines have been very successful at reducing the incidence of shark attacks at the beaches where they are installed. Check out our guide. . How Does Saving Water Help Climate Change? But the question is, do shark culling programs help save human lives? [11][21][22] They say there is no science showing that nets make the ocean safer for people. Shark sightings and reports from the public as well as from government and emergency services are recorded, with alerts sent out to user's smart phones and via social media. [19], The government of New South Wales has a program that deliberately kills sharks using shark nets. Struggling to get your head around the shark situation on the north coast of New South Wales? Legal shark culling is mainly practiced in four locations: New South Wales (Australia), Queensland (Australia), KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), and Reunion Waters (France). Mr Barnett says commercial fishermen are understandably wary. They are literal nets that are designed to prevent sharks from getting near humans. These traps are designed to capture bull, tiger, or great white sharks off popular beaches. Predators as Prey: Why Healthy Oceans Need Sharks, , highlights why we need to protect sharks. The program did not change the rate of shark attacks in the waters of Hawaii. PROS: Statistics support their efficacy, with one fatality at a netted beach between Newcastle and Wollongong in the past 70 years and an overall drop in shark interactions with humans since nets were installed around Sydney and Queensland. Just as we cannot scare our kids that they cannot go in the water or theyll get chopped in half, we dont have control over the oceans; thats their home. The Premier says such behaviour has damaged the standing of the environmental movement. The WA Fisheries minister highlighted the need to concentrate and invest in new and emerging technologies that offer real protection for the people who are most at risk, i.e., surfers and swimmers. Top on this list of pros and cons of culling animals are the economic benefits from culling. Sharks are more use alive than dead This is a difficult time. Culling is also done in dairy and beef farming to improve the herd performance and quality of produce. CONS: Can not be everywhere at once, possible visibility issues when water clarity is not ideal, financial cost of hiring aircraft and/or personnel to conduct surveillance, water-users may ignore warnings. One such shark culling program, billed as a shark control program, in Hawaii which operated between 1959 and 1976 resulted in killing 4,668 sharks over an 18-year period. "You're in their territory" is a common refrain from those who believe the best way to protect humans from sharks is to enter the water at your own risk. A range of brightly coloured and striped wetsuits are currently being marketed as shark deterring outfits. [69][6][31] They also say that shark culling is "outdated, cruel and ineffective". We need to protect sharks to protect our environment. This is done by targeting and eliminating animals that are sick or have undesirable characteristics. [6] In addition, Western Australia Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly said "there is currently no scientific evidence to show that drumlines reduce the risk of a [shark] attack". Life on earth depends on the delicate balance of this vast life support system. With about 90% of the worlds sharks and other large predatory fish wiped out through overfishing and culling, prey such as sea turtles and crabs have flourished. There are several creatures, as small as microscopic infectious viruses to as big as hippopotamuses, that had befallen death on our loved one. The New South Wales Government believes shark nets are worth trialling and plans to install shark nets in a trial off the north coast before the end of the year. Some of the methods used to kill sharks include: On the surface, a shark net sounds like a pretty humane way to trap and release a shark, but shark nets are designed to kill. [57] In January 2019 the Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia determined that the "SMART" drumline trial would have minimal impact on the environment.[58]. [49], From 1959 to 1976, a government-funded program killed 4,668 sharks in Hawaii. They confuse humans for defenseless animals (which, arguably, we are in the eyes of a shark), and most of the time, they dont really care what were doing. Many countries are also reaping billions of dollars from reef . As of May, 2021, the effectiveness of SMART drumlines were in question, adding more fuel to the controversial topic of shark culling. This approach causes unnecessary animal suffering to both target and non-target species. Baited Drumlines How Do They Kill Sharks? [28][16][29] Queensland currently operates the largest shark culling program in Australia. Between October 2007 and December 2011, about 23% of animals caught on the drum lines died. Posted on Last updated: November 18, 2022. The culling of animals is also beneficial in helping to maintain the sustainability of the ecosystem. Although hard to deal with initially, they were eventually brought under control when over 60,000 emus were culled in 6 months. Some animals pose a serious threat to or interfere with human activities such as farming, recreation, and even human settlement. The shark population has, d significantly in the number over the past few decades in Australia. It was curtailed by the culling of more than one million pigs. The proposition for shark culling has been widely opposed by environmentalists, conservationists, and most policymakers. Well, heres a detailed list of all the benefits and drawbacks that come with this practice. [21] Sixty-five percent of shark attacks in New South Wales occurred at netted beaches. Sharks regulate the behaviour of prey species, and prevent them from over-grazing vital habitats. On the surface it makes sense that few sharks in the water would result in fewer bites on human. Unfortunately, instead of the yields increasing, they went down, causing greater losses. "[41] Most Whitsunday locals resisted the cull. Pollution Types, Shark Nets trap other small creatures as turtles (via Unsplash), The ocean plays an integral role in sustaining our environment and climate, so do sharks and every other creature that lives below the surface. The purpose of shark culling is to kill sharks in order to decrease the shark population in an attempt to lower the amount of shark on human attacks. The feral cats of Tasmania are a case in point. Its just not true. It is a disservice to the public. Without sparrows, the locusts and pests destroyed a lot of grain, contributing to the Great Famine of China that killed millions of people. CONS: Contractor required to check drumlines and relocate the sharks, contractor needs to reach the caught shark in a timely manner, other marine life may be caught. And, sharks are being caught faster than they can mature. This makes sense, because sharks are mindless killing machines, and will take anyone's life if they get a chance. Culling is the process of selective elimination of animals based on traits or factors such as health, appearance, and sex. [11], The shark-killing program in Queensland has been criticized by environmentalists, conservationists, and animal welfare advocatesthey say Queensland's shark-killing program is unethical and harms the marine ecosystem. There was no difference in number of shark attacks on humans recorded in the Hawaiian islands during the time the program was active or immediately after the closing of the program. [44][45] In 2013, 24 sharks were killed in Runion. Avoid surfing at dusk, or alone, or in the most dangerous spots with murky water. But is it necessary, and is it ever morally just to willfully kill an animal just for what it might do? In Hawaii, almost 5,000 sharks were culled between 1959 and 1976 (18 years) with no reduction in shark bites. One of the solutions focused on the culling of four pests that were carriers of this disease; rats, sparrows, flies, and mosquitoes. The impassioned statement for the mass shark cull on Reunion Island coming from such an environmental enthusiast, well-known for clothing brand. Hawaii shark control programs of the 1960s and 1970s, for example, were not . (to destroy our oceans), stunned the world. Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Additionally, these sharks can be tracked via apps by surfers before entering the water. Wildlife biologists in Tasmania wanted to reduce the population of feral cats. Many people seem ready to begin a shark. ", "Western Australia's 'Serious Threat' Shark Policy Condemned by Senate", "Western Australia's Shark Culls Lack Bite (And Science)", "Sharks: How a cull could ruin an ecosystem", "No Shark Cull: Why Some Surfers Don't Want to Kill Great Whites Despite Lethal Attacks", "Responding to the risk of white shark attack: updated statistics, prevention, control, methods and recommendation. As a result, the population of cats increased significantly. A Brief Look at Shark Culling. PROS: Supporters argue fewer sharks equal fewer attacks. However, it was later discovered that the major transmitters of the virus were daytime mosquitos, meaning they had been killing the wrong species. "[75], George H. Burgess, the former[76] director of the International Shark Attack File, "describes [shark] culling as a form of revenge, satisfying a public demand for blood and little else";[77] he said shark culling is a "retro-type move reminiscent of what people would have done in the 1940s and 50s, back when we didn't have an ecological conscience and before we knew the consequences of our actions. Follow the action from the third Test between India and Australia in Delhi in our live blog, Former government services minister Stuart Robert is being questioned at theRobodebt inquiry. has been looking into available options to minimize the risk of shark attacks. They are killed to protect surfers, swimmers and other people engaging in ocean water activities. ", "Surfer Shark Attack On Reunion Island Leaves Man Without Arm And Foot", "Shark Cull Announced By France Follows Second Fatal Attack Off Runion Island This Year", "Another Fatal Shark Attack On Runion Island Bodyboarder And Trained Shark-spotter Is Ninth Death In Six Years", "Dunedin shark-nets film 'positive environmental story', "Here's How Communities Around The World Are Trying To Prevent Shark Attacks (, "Alternatives to Shark Nets and Drumlines", "Australia: More than 170 sharks caught under controversial cull program", "WA Abandons Shark Culling Program, But Reserves Right To Kill Again", "Premier Mark McGowan's Shark Plan Not Enough To Protect Us", "Sharks To Be Caught On SMART Drum Lines Off WA's South West After Labor U-turn", "Environmental activists demand shark drum line trial be abandoned", "EPA determines SMART drumline proposal would have minimal impact", "QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO SENATE REFFERRED[sic] INQUIRY INTO THE EFFICACY AND REGULATION OF SHARK MITIGATION AND DETERRENT MEASURES", "Surfing Australia submission to the Senate Enquiry into the Efficacy and Regulation of Shark Deterrent Measures", "Inside La Runion's Shark Cull: Why the Locals Want Them Dead", "Beyond the panic: the facts about shark nets", "HISTORY OF PROTECTION AGAINST SHARK ATTACK IN KZN", https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/acv.12096, "The Importance of Sharks In the Ecosystem", "Western Australia's shark cull faces legal challenge from conservationists", "Media Statements - WA to conduct scientific trial of SMART drumlines", http://www.sealifetrust.org.au/cause-view/, "Mike Baird is right, culling sharks doesn't work here's what we can do instead", "Call to classify shark culling and drum lines as threats to endangered species", http://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20181008/expert-shark-threat-always-going-to-be-problem-for-cape-cod, "How to swim with sharks and not get eaten", "Shark attack survivor and drumline contractor say conservation group supporters harass them", "Wiley: Humane Strategy Reduces Shark Attacks", "A Review of the Biology and Status of White Sharks in Australian Waters", "Shark Bycatch in Commercial Fisheries: A Global Perspective", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shark_culling&oldid=1136492434, This page was last edited on 30 January 2023, at 15:59. Those cattle that are considered to have defects are usually identified and killed. "[50], Animal rights activists note the suffering and cruelty inflicted upon animals caught in nets and drum lines: this suffering includes lacerations, stress, pain, disease, and death. The RSPCA does not support killing sharks as a response to shark incidents involving humans. They believe that we should protect the danger and put sharks before humans. [51], The impact of shark culling is minor compared to bycatch from commercial fishing. Will smart drum lines actually prevent shark attacks? CONS: Reports can not be received in the water, possibility of hoax reports, impossible to report every shark. Whats more, 65% of the shark attacks that occurred in New South Wales were at beaches that had nets installed. The price of shark culling is too high with other marine life getting caught on the lines 4. The unprovoked shark attacks incited surfers to call for shark culls in Reunion Waters and other places worldwide. Shark culling or "shark control" is the act of deliberately killing sharks, thus reducing their population sizes, and preventing shark attacks. Disease reduction deserves mention on the pros and cons of culling animals. These include electrical, magnetic, acoustic and spray repellents. Overall, the Jaws effect and cull programs resulting from an inaccurate shark mental . [16] Humane Society International calls the nets a "knee-jerk reaction". CONS: No more swimming/surfing/kayaking etc. But males cant lay eggs, and they also cant be sold for meat because of their small sizes. A range of commercial products that claim to deter sharks from humans are available. They were first installed in 1935. This means they have to be culled. CONS: Trial was abandoned in two locations in northern New South Wales because the barriers could not withstand rough conditions and surfers were concerned the barriers would pose a risk to their safety by snagging and trapping them underwater. The state government decided to spray pesticides targeting those mosquitoes that bite humans at night. The predatory role of sharks is also significant for the worlds economy. Basically, the sharks are unable to move and this is fatal for many species. "[34], In 2017, "Humane Society International applied for lethal shark control programs in New South Wales and Queensland to be listed as key threatening processes under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act [of Australia]. [32] From 1962 to 2018, roughly 50,000 sharks were killed by Queensland authorities.[33]. Billions of them were killed. They are used throughout Western Australia where they are typically fixed at a depth of about 6 meters and run just under 200 meters long. The deer population in the UK is also managed through culling. [1] "From 1900 to 1937, 13 people were killed off New South Wales surf beaches by sharks; over the next 72 years, the death rate fell to eight, only one of which was at a meshed beach. After all, 80 is an incredibly low number when you consider how many people surf, swim, and ride jet skis and boats every single year. [30] From 2017 to 2018, 218 sharks were killed, including 75 tiger sharks and 41 bull sharks;[19] at least 64 sharks were shot and killed during this period. Should Shark Culling Be Banned? Their practices show no respect for these beautiful animals at all. It has been said that these methods of shark control have trapped over 5,000 marine turtles, and killed hundreds of dolphins, whales, rays, and other marine animals. 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