Call to install all-purpose stinger nets
A MARINE scientist wants Cairns to have year-round stinger nets in order to protect swimmers from dangerous jellyfish – and sharks.
It comes as new figures from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries show a 3.99m long tiger shark was captured off Ellis Beach last year, the largest shark hooked in the state-run shark control program off local beaches.
A total of 48 sharks were captured on the 38 drumlines installed off Cairns’ beaches during 2017, representing a slight increase from the previous year.
The Fisheries Queensland statistics also show that there were no accidental deaths of threatened marine species, as a result of the shark control program. Shark nets were removed from Cairns’ beaches in July 2013.
Humane Society International Australia marine scientist Jessica Morris said the figures showed that removal of shark nets from the coastline along the Great Barrier Reef was working to protect endangered animals.
She suggested additional measures for Cairns, including removing drumlines altogether and instead having yearround stinger enclosures.
“The drumlines might not be necessary because people are swimming between the stinger nets, which provide a solution for shark bites as well,” she said.
“(If they were year-round), they would form a barrier. I’m not aware of any bycatch issues with the stinger nets.”
Surf Life Saving Queensland regional manager Rob Davidson said it would be difficult to prevent people from swimming outside stinger nets during the low risk time of the year for dangerous jellyfish.
“What we’re basically saying is, ‘we’ve got these beautiful beaches in North Queensland, but you must swim only inside the stinger nets,” he said. “We’ve been given the job of providing a safe bathing reserve for people to come and enjoy. During the stinger season, that’s inside the nets because the marine stingers are outside.
“But outside of that season, they don’t do that in the rest of Australia, so why should we have to suffer?”