Sharks put bite on catch

TOWNSVILLE fishing charter operator Eddie Riddle reckons local waters are brimming with the most sharks he’s encountered in 33 years living in the region.

A recent charter during which they landed only two of 20 fish hooked, thanks to sharks pinching fish off their lines and the loss of nearly $ 300 worth of lures to hungry sharks, were just two recent experiences that sprung to mind.

“The level of shark activity here is constant. It’s here all the time,” he said.

The Fish City Charters operator said it was common to spot two or three sharks per trip and conversations with game fishermen from southeast Queensland to Cape York indicated it wasn’t an isolated matter.

“Everyone’s getting smashed by sharks,” he said.

Halifax Bay and waters north of Magnetic Island were renowned tiger shark breeding grounds, according to Mr Riddle, and he said sharks were being found closer to shore, within Cleveland Bay and the shipping channel.

Bull sharks, tiger sharks, hammerheads and whalers were all common species in the area and Mr Riddle said recreational fishermen had enjoyed great entertainment watching large bull sharks chasing barramundi in the mouths of Alligator Creek and Crocodile Creek.

James Cook University shark expert and research fellow Dr Andrew Chin said he hadn’t been out since earlier in the year but hadn’t heard of a spike in shark numbers locally.

“Sharks are pretty mobile animals so they do move about a bit,” he said.

He said it was “incredibly difficult” to count sharks as they were so mobile.