Affirmative action must be considered in shark debate

THE shark is an apex predator that plays a critical role in the balance of marine ecology.

For various reasons, we share the shark’s environment, placing ourselves at risk as demonstrated by three shark attacks in Cid Harbour in the Whitsundays.

One of those attacks proved fatal for young Melbourne urologist Daniel Christidis.

Such a tragedy requires affirmative action, especially when these three attacks are localised and have occurred within a matter of weeks in a popular area where tourism is the mainstay of the local economy. To put this in perspective, imagine if the same scenario happened here on the Gold Coast. How would we feel, what would our reaction be and what would we want done?

The government held a forum that included local businesses and marine experts. They decided to reject a culling program conducting a study instead and warning people off swimming in the area.

The Opposition supported nets and drum lines and accused the Government of having a plan to remove these measures here on the Gold Coast. The Government responded by accusing the Opposition of playing disgraceful politics.

The irony is that behind it all they both have a point. More and more politics defines the level of affirmative action or response in decision making.

India is famous for its tigers. Unlike the cuddly and relatively tame ones we display here, some turn into opportunistic man killers and with some regret they are hunted and put down.

It’s not about revenge as some claim but the protection of families who go about their lives in genuine fear.

From the mid 1970s to ’80 I had a fishing show on Brisbane television. A friend of mine was Vic Hislop, a well known shark catcher. I saw some of the monstrous sharks he caught. Where he caught them frightened me. Many were caught within metres of popular Moreton Bay swimming spots and nobody knew the potential danger lurking.

The Government’s new study may deliver some benefits giving us a better understanding of this species, but in the meantime the risk and impact continues. Objectively, it comes down to the question of what value we place on a human life, the maiming of a person either physically, emotionally or both and the economic impact on business and workers.

Nobody wants to see needless killing of any species.

But consider, if there is a rogue shark out there, does a study go far enough, and should the Government take direct action while the study is in progress?

BOB JANSSEN, GOLD COAST & HINTERLAND BUSINESS ALLIANCE