There has been strong opposition to the policy, including from one man who vandalised Premier Colin Barnett's office. Cape Cod voters, tourists and commercial fishermen are all likely to recognize sharks as an important, beneficial piece of the local marine ecosystem, but when it comes to seals, the groups have more divergent views, according to newly published data. The rationale for culling was a widely-held belief that tiger sharks were site-attached . SMART Drumlines Catch, Tag, Release, & Monitor. When it is supported by science and done in the right manner, culling offers many benefits to both humans and animals. The program did not change the rate of shark attacks in the waters of Hawaii. Posted on Last updated: November 18, 2022. Shark-spotting programs using surveillance techniques, including drones, private helicopters, observation towers and even blimps, are being trialled in various locations across the globe. The Grom Life participates in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products. PROS: Supporters argue fewer sharks equal fewer attacks. When this happens, it poses great risks to animals, humans, and the entire ecosystem. Mr Barnett says commercial fishermen are understandably wary. SMART drum lines will send a realtime alert that notifies authorities that a shark (or other large marine life) has taken the bait is and is hooked on the line attached to the SMART drum line. Their practices show no respect for these beautiful animals at all. Valerie joined Chris Hemsworth in the documentary Shark Beach on NatGeo to discuss her experiences diving with sharks, shark culling and the importance of sharks to the marine ecosystem. Perspective All Sharks hold a economic and cultural significance to many communities. The culling of animals is also beneficial in helping to maintain the sustainability of the ecosystem. Surfer Mick Fanning changed the colour of his board from yellow to dark blue after hearing sharks were attracted to lightly coloured, shiny things. People think sharks are vicious beast that mean to eat and kill humans but they have benefits that the whole world uses everyday! A similar incident happened in New York in 1999 with the West Nile virus. Apart from harming unrelated species, culling may also have worse ecological consequences that may affect humans. Basically, the sharks are unable to move and this is fatal for many species. Billions of them were killed. [1] From 2013 to 2014, 667 sharks were killed on Queensland's drum lines and in shark nets, including great white sharks and critically endangered grey nurse sharks. "You're in their territory" is a common refrain from those who believe the best way to protect humans from sharks is to enter the water at your own risk. 426 Words; 2 Pages; Decent Essays. The problem is that they float and dont connect with the shoreline or the surface, so its possible for sharks to swim over and under them. For example, breeders can invest in technologies that can establish if an embryo is male or female before the eggs hatch. Here, culling is done based on factors affecting cow performance, such as milk production, reproductive status, and diseases. According to the report, 16,177 metric tons of shark fin, valued at around USD294 million per year, were imported globally each year between 2000-2016, with 90% of these shark fin products being imported by four countries: Hong Kong SAR (9,069 mt/year), Malaysia (2,556 . The WA Fisheries minister highlighted the need to concentrate and invest in new and emerging technologies that offer real protection for the people who are most at risk, i.e., surfers and swimmers. Shark exclusion nets and drumlines or traps are used to lure, entangle and kill sharks and other animals that pass near them. The tags are attached to a small arrow-head and a short tether and are usually attached to sharks using a tag pole as they swim past a vessel. First introduced in the 1930s at a time when we didn't know much about biodiversity, shark behaviour or sharks' vital role in ocean ecosystems. Shark control is a controversial topic, as you would expect, and many experts argue that its just the governments way of making it look like they are responding to shark attacks, even though those responses are expensive, inhumane, and only partially effective. The Canadian seal hunt is another example. Those with undesirable traits are culled, allowing farmers to drive profitability. These include electrical, magnetic, acoustic and spray repellents. Sharks: they're some of the most majestic and wondrous animals in the ocean. We need to avoid shark culls and give them enough time to survive, grow, and reproduce. The attack occurred in an unpatrolled area. [26], In August 2018, it was announced that the nets in northern New South Wales would be removed, but that the nets in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong would stay. Apps [12] Shark nets are currently installed in Marine Protected Areas, and kill animals there. However, there are times when the culling of animals is driven by public hysteria and arbitrary reasons. [44][45] In 2013, 24 sharks were killed in Runion. [41] National Geographic cameraman Andy Casagrande said the following about the cull: "When will basic intelligence and respect for the planet be a requirement for highly paid supposedly educated government officials? Sonar devices known as Clever Buoys are said to detect all varieties of marine animals over two metres long, based on the way they move through the water. Sparrows helped to regulate the population of locusts and other insect pests in rural China. [39][40] The cull was also called a "farce". Its a knee-jerk reactionpeople get bitten, people die, the government starts killing sharks. Not only are shark attacks still common at beaches that have shark nets installed, and not only do they lead to a slow and painful death for the shark, but they kill other marine life as well. [39][41] Environmental groups criticized the cull; Shark Conservation Australia called the killings a "disgusting knee-jerk reaction" and said it was "a very shameful day here in Australia". Its just not true. For example, in Texas, scientists discovered that breeding among bucks with superior antler quality improved the antler quality of subsequent generations. is a freelance blogger based in Pakistan. Unfortunately, of the 172 sharks that were killed, none were white sharks. Lets start with the fact that were protecting different animal species; why shouldnt we protect sharks? "[75], George H. Burgess, the former[76] director of the International Shark Attack File, "describes [shark] culling as a form of revenge, satisfying a public demand for blood and little else";[77] he said shark culling is a "retro-type move reminiscent of what people would have done in the 1940s and 50s, back when we didn't have an ecological conscience and before we knew the consequences of our actions. Sharks hold a economic and cultural significance to many communities. Culling these heifers immediately after pregnancy checking serves three very useful purposes: Identifying and culling open heifers early will remove sub-fertile females from the herd. PROS: Statistics support the efficacy of drumlines in reducing shark attacks. Miscellaneous Therefore, many governments started culling them. In the three decades since nets were installed, there have been no fatal attacks at those beaches and only four resulting in serious injury. Share Envoy: Shark Cull with your family and friends and start a conversation about how we portray sharks and how they need our empathy and . But males cant lay eggs, and they also cant be sold for meat because of their small sizes. Achieving a Sustainable Population The culling of animals is also beneficial in helping to maintain the sustainability of the ecosystem. Put simply, shark culling is a deliberate government action to kill and reduce the numbers of sharks in our oceans, which is usually an unthoughtful, knee-jerk reaction to a shark attack. In case of an outbreak of HPAI, one way of controlling the spread of the disease is through the culling of infected poultry. (to destroy our oceans), stunned the world. What are the pros and cons of culling animals? [6] In addition, Western Australia Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly said "there is currently no scientific evidence to show that drumlines reduce the risk of a [shark] attack". That list can include any act that further endangers already threatened species, or adversely affects two or more listed threatened species. It causes severe illness in animals and humans. China has taken a 'dramatic' lead in critical technologies used for military power, report says, Former minister takes 'absolute responsibility' for Robodebt, admits defending scheme despite knowing it could be unlawful, Aussies collapse in dramatic fashion to be all out for 197, MP Monique Ryan and chief of staff Sally Rugg fail to settle dispute after four-week mediation, 'Sickening, callous and brazen': Sydney man dies in hail of bullets in front of 12yo son, Evelyn worked three jobs when she was in her 20s to build up her super. They are fierce creatures, and a lot of people have a genuine and debilitating fear of them. [11] From 2014 to 2015, 621 sharks were killed in Queensland. Decent Essays. Culling also helps to manage animals without natural predators. From 1959 to 1976, the state of Hawaii culled 4,668 sharks (at an average cost of $182 per shark), including 554 tiger sharks, in a series of shark control programs. These diseases can decimate large animal and human populations if not well handled. Shark culls are often triggered in response to shark attacks. Every year, thousands of seals are hunted down and killed as a way of controlling their population. Culling is also done in dairy and beef farming to improve the herd performance and quality of produce. A range of brightly coloured and striped wetsuits are currently being marketed as shark deterring outfits. [30] From 2017 to 2018, 218 sharks were killed, including 75 tiger sharks and 41 bull sharks;[19] at least 64 sharks were shot and killed during this period. Alerts from surf safeguards and lifeguards in case of danger/threat. Cleaning of garbage and sewage runoff. Often inhumanely culled for their notorious, Sharks keep our oceans and reefs healthy, Other research suggests killing sharks actually, published by a team of researchers from Deakin University, University of Technology, Sydney, Griffith University, and Utah State University in "Nature Climate Change,"warns that the declining population of top ocean predators, i.e. [18][27] The New South Wales Green party said they wanted all lethal nets to be removed. Anthrax, for example, is spread by domestic and wild animals. They confuse humans for defenseless animals (which, arguably, we are in the eyes of a shark), and most of the time, they dont really care what were doing. What It Means For Sharks & People. The ethics of this practice is a major concern when it comes to the pros and cons of culling animals. What Is Shark Culling? The traps with a baited hook that are used to attract and snare sharks instead trap them on the ocean floor, leaving them unable to swim. The unsuccessful trial in Lennox Head resulted in debris from the half-built barriers polluting the area and the estimated cost of the unsuccessful trial was $2.6 million. But there has to be a plan in place to help achieve desired outcomes and mitigate the risks. [51] A non-lethal Shark Spotters program in Cape Town, South Africa has been in use since 2006. 21-year-old Sarah Kate Whiley was attacked by as many as three sharks in Rainbow Channel. "[11], In September 2018, the government of Queensland began culling sharks with drum lines in Cid Harbour in the Whitsunday Islands in response to two non-fatal shark attackssix sharks (including five tiger sharks) were shot and killed, and their bodies were dumped at sea. The simple answer is yes, but if done right. If a particular species population becomes too large, that species becomes a threat not just to themselves but also to other animals. As a result, the government started culling them. Culling is the process of selective elimination of animals based on traits or factors such as health, appearance, and sex. The use of nets and baited drum lines is an outdated and ineffective approach against shark attacks. Although hard to deal with initially, they were eventually brought under control when over 60,000 emus were culled in 6 months. THE ABC reports that commercial fishermen in Western Australia are hesitant to tender for work on the states controversial shark cull because of concerns for their safety. [38][39][19][40] The killings have been called a cull. Last but not least, on our list of pros and cons of culling animals is the role culling plays in the extinction of endangered animals. Dr Daniel Bucher from Southern Cross University told the ABC: "Great whites are a threatened species and the existing population is already low. I can understand that because there has been a lot of aggression and threatening behaviour in the community.. In December 2013, the Western Australian Government announced the deployment of drum lines along popular beaches, but no permanent drum lines have been used in WA since April 30, 2014. As northern New South Wales residents continue to debate the best way to deal with shark attacks in the region, we take a look at the pros and cons of the most popular options available to protect people from ocean predators. It has been said that these methods of shark control have trapped over 5,000 marine turtles, and killed hundreds of dolphins, whales, rays, and other marine animals. Mr Barnett says commercial fishermen . The balance between the shark vs. human attacks has been shockingly disturbed by shark culling. There are certainly a disproportionate number of them out there. According to a spokesperson for WA's Fisheries Minister Ken Baston, in September 2014 the WA Government withdrew its proposal for the operation of drum lines for a further three years because the WA Environmental Protection Authority found there to be a: "high degree of scientific uncertainty about impacts [of drum lines] on the south-western white shark population". Every year, there are approximately 80 unprovoked shark attacks and between 5 and 10 deaths on average. [56] In November 2018, more than 7,000 Western Australians signed a petition demanding that the planned "SMART" drum line trial be abandoned. Great Whites are an endangered species and therefore enjoy legal protection. Is the culling of animals, right? "[77] Burgess also said shark culling will not make surfers safer. "[46] Runion authorities currently kill about 100 sharks per year. [23], Following 11 shark attacks along the New South Wales north coast between 2014 and 2016, including two fatalities,[24] shark nets and "smart" drum lines were deployed in December 2016 to cover five additional beaches along the New South Wales North Coast in a six-month trial. As a result, they were classified as pests, and the government initiated efforts to cull them. There has been strong opposition to the policy, including from one man who vandalised Premier Colin Barnetts office. Add to that the fact that shark nets can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and its easy to see why people are so critical of shark culling, particularly the aggressive programs used in New South Wales and Western Australia. According to the KZNSB, "from 1940 until most of those beaches were first netted in the 1960s, there were 16 fatal attacks and 11 resulting in serious injury. [4] The "imminent threat" policy was canceled in March 2017. The Mauritius flying fox, another endangered animal, is also being decimated in disproportionate numbers. The sharks' rights are enshrined in our law. The state government decided to spray pesticides targeting those mosquitoes that bite humans at night. There are several creatures, as small as microscopic infectious viruses to as big as hippopotamuses, that had befallen death on our loved one. [19], The government of Queensland currently kills sharks in the Great Barrier Reef using 173 lethal drum lines; in 2018, Humane Society International filed a lawsuit (court challenge) requesting that the drum lines be removed there. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. However, after a while, new cats started appearing. We need to take shark culling off the table and look for innovative, non-lethal shark control measures and better general public awareness to co-exist peacefully with sharks and other marine life. The following was said about Queensland's use of lethal drum lines: "Lethal drum lines in Queensland are used to catch and kill sharks. Instead, other marine animals like seals, turtles and dolphins can get caught on the hooks, resulting in their death or serious injury. These measures are dangerous to other sea creatures like rays, turtles, dolphins, and small, harmless sharks, which get caught up in the traps. In New Zealand, for example, after WWI, the emus had multiplied so fast that they were a danger to farmers. Shark culling is the deliberate killing of sharks by government authorities, usually in response to one or more shark attacks.The term "shark control" is often used by governments when referring to culls. 2. This can perfectly illustrate the effects of shark culling on the ecosystem. I Was Curious, So I Tried It A Few Times, Best Mountain Biking Trails in Moab, Utah. The WA State Government has issued a tender for professional fishers to catch and kill all white, bull and tiger sharks more than three metres long in certain areas along the state's coast. So, is culling animals good? [12][42][13] Shark Angels states, "It is hard to believe with all we know about sharks, including their dwindling numbers, their critical role in our oceans, and the small risk they actually pose to us, that the archaic process of killing these animals for bather protection still exists. The government responded by using drum lines to cull great whites, which were responsible for the deaths. Below are the 10 important pros and cons of culling animals. Use effective personal shark deterrents; release electro-magnetic radiations that exceed the sensory range of shark's receptors. A range of commercial products that claim to deter sharks from humans are available. CONS: No more swimming/surfing/kayaking etc. The state's shark control policy has captured over 5,000 turtles, 1,014 dolphins, nearly 700 dugongs and 120 whales, all of which are federally protected marine species. [36] Queensland Fisheries Minister John McVeigh has described the longevity of the netting and drum line program as being "a good indicator that it had the support of most Queenslanders". Overfishing, shark finning, climate change, black market trade, and habitat loss have had a massive effect on sharks. This helps to strengthen the gene pool of animals because only the fittest animals are allowed to survive. An outdated and ineffective approach against shark attacks that because there has to be a plan in place help. Affects two or more listed threatened species smart drumlines Catch, Tag Release. 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