Western Australia shark cull condemned as futile after attacks fall

US researcher slams ‘revenge killings’ after report shows Australia had below-average number of attacks in 2013

theguardian.com, Australian Associated Press, Tuesday 18 February 2014

The shark cull in Western Australia has been labelled ‘archaic’. Photograph: AAP

Western Australia’s shark cull has been condemned as futile by international experts as it emerged that attacks in Australia have fallen to their lowest level in five years.

There were 10 shark attacks in Australian waters in 2013 – the lowest annual total since nine in 2008 and lower than the 12.3 average attacks per year during the past 10 years (2003-2012), according to researchers at the University of Florida.

Australia’s two fatalities in 2013 are in line with its 1.4 yearly average over the same time period.

George Burgess, of the university’s International Shark Attack File, who also revealed that Florida led the world in shark attacks last year with 23, said WA’s controversial shark cull would not result in fewer attacks.

“Even if one ignores that an endangered species is involved, the archaic reaction can only be characterised as revenge killings,” Burgess said.

“Although infrequent, shark attacks are high-profile events that excite the emotions of human beings and often impact a community.

“Killing 10 sharks after a death is not the answer as it does not result in reduced attacks.’’

His comments came as more details emerged about the WA cull. Seventeen tiger sharks have been caught on drum lines and killed, the state’s Department of Fisheries said. Nine sharks have also been found dead on the drum lines.

In total, 66 sharks have been caught – 23 in the south-west and 43 in the metropolitan area. Sixty-three were tiger sharks, two were mako and one was a blacktip.

A local contractor has disposed of 13 tiger sharks more than three metres in length and has released six smaller sharks since January 25.

Department crews have disposed of four tiger sharks since February 1 and released 34, of which 28 were tagged to assist with research and shark tracking.

Under the policy, bull, tiger and great white sharks longer than three metres that are caught on drum lines within one kilometre of parts of the WA coast are being shot dead and discarded at sea.

The WA fisheries minister, Ken Baston, said results showed the methods were working well. “We have caught and destroyed a number of large sharks within one kilometre of selected beaches at a time of year when our beaches are crowded,” he said.

The ISAF acknowledged that Western Australia, with six deaths in the past four years, remained a “shark-attack hot spot”.

Overall, in 2013 the world experienced the lowest number of shark attacks since 2009, although last year’s 10 fatalities were above average.

The US had the most attacks, 47, but it was lower than its 2012 total of 54.

Thousands have gathered on Manly beach in Sydney to protest against WA's
shark culling policy. Source: AAP

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