SCANDAL ROCKS COWBOYS
Numbers in decline and attack rise an ‘anomaly’
SHARK numbers in Queensland waters are likely in significant decline with perceptions of an explosion in numbers due to the fact that the highly sensitive apex predators are learning that recreational boats are the ocean equivalent of sushi trains.
That’s the view of Dr Leonardo Guida, a shark scientist and spokesman with the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
Dr Guida’s comments to the Townsville Bulletin follow the bull shark attack on Rick Bettua on the Great Barrier Reef last week, which takes the total number of “unprovoked cases” in Queensland so far this year to five, including two fatal attacks.
Mr Bettua, attacked off the Hinchinbrook coast during a spearfishing trip, remains in a stable condition in Townsville University Hospital after he was miraculously resuscitated from the brink of death by emergency responders at the Dungeness Boat Ramp.
According to the Australian Shark Attack File, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, there have been a total of seven fatal shark attacks in 2020, compared with zero fatalities in 2019, one in 2018 and one in 2017.
According the file, however, the number of unprovoked attacks has remained comparatively steady.
Dr Guida said that the increase in fatal shark attacks this year was actually an anomaly.
“No one wants to see the loss of human life, first and foremost human safety is important, and when it comes to fatalities it can be pure, tragic bad luck, a millimetre to the left or the right and you could have your femoral artery nicked.”
Dr Guida said that evidence suggested that there was a global decline in shark numbers, including in Australia.
“The best science at the moment tells us that sharks are under threat from overfishing globally,” he said. “From an Australian context, specifically Queensland, the research at the moment tells us that there are declines in some of the large shark species.”
He said that this included the scalloped hammerhead, which were now potentially endangered, tiger sharks, numbers of which had declined by an estimated 70 per cent, while bull shark numbers were unknown, “which is a problem in of itself” and required more research.
He urged the Department of Fisheries to immediately to carry out stock assessments of key shark species.
“Once we know the numbers, then we are able to better protect the species, better manage them and also better inform fishing practices so that we can fish sustainably and also have a better fishing experience from a perspective of enjoyment, safety and sustainability.”