Michelle Daw, Yorke Peninsula Country Times
Reports of increased numbers of white sharks are not scientifically supported, according to the state government, and it has rejected culling as a response to recent attacks.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven said many South Australians were understandably concerned about recent shark attacks across the state.
White sharks are protected in all South Australian Waters under the Fisheries Management Act 2007 and some fishers say their numbers have increased greatly since that time.
However, Ms Scriven said white sharks are still listed as vulnerable and are also protected under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
“The past year’s attacks have spanned thousands of kilometres, from the West Coast to Beachport, and there is little evidence to suggest a culling program would be effective in improving safety across such a broad area,” she said.
“Killing a shark that is located in the vicinity of an attack site does not prevent the possibility of future attacks.
“However, if a shark is posing an imminent threat to human life, then the relevant agencies have the powers to destroy it.
“Sharks play an important role in the health of our ocean ecosystems and widespread culling of white sharks may result in a significant ecological impact on our marine environment.”
Ms Scriven said SA’s mainland coastline is as long as those of Victoria and New South Wales combined.
“Our response must reflect SA’s vast and often remote conditions,” she said.
Ms Scriven said the government had brought forward a summer program of aerial patrols and had provided drones to surf lifesaving clubs for shark spotting.
However, according to the State Emergency Service, aerial patrols are limited to the metropolitan Adelaide coastline and Fleurieu Peninsula.
There is only one branch of Surf Lifesaving SA north of Adelaide, located at Whyalla.
Ms Scriven said no form of protection is 100 per cent effective against shark attacks.
“We are open-minded to adopting any measure which can improve safety while encouraging every water user to take sensible precautions where possible, follow the advice and assess the inherent risk,” she said.
This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 9 January 2024.
