THE GREAT WHITE BLUFF

A DESPERATE rush to remove shark nets early from northern NSW waters would seem to suggest whales are becoming tangled in them as they migrate north.

But this has not been the case. The few whales that have passed so far have safely moved into Queensland waters and also successfully swum past the nets and lines that protect Gold Coast beaches.

So the frantic operation to haul in nets, due to start yesterday off five beaches where surfers have been attacked, was more about appeasing green elements who vote than protecting humpbacks.

As for the great white sharks that those same greens see as essential to a healthy marine ecosystem and therefore argue they should have greater priority than human lives, things seem to be going swimmingly. Instead of the carnage in the nets that protesters insisted would result from the trial south of the border, the sharks have been making their presence known in healthy numbers as they continue to menace surfers.

One even launched itself into a fisherman’s boat at the weekend. Anecdotal evidence from anglers is that shark numbers are growing. Whale numbers are similarly increasing at a healthy rate.

The time for common sense is long overdue. Governments have to shrug off the hysterical demands of one pressure group so that people who live near beaches can pursue their passion for surfing, swimming and fishing safely.