Shark cages shelved in W.A’s tourism plan

Comments

Scotty
9 Jul 12
6:50 pm


Sharks are amazingly sly, even cunning. Off Mission Beach in the early 90`s, my mate Bazza`s prawn trawler could GUARANTEE a school of sharks and dolphins around it by simply adjusting his revs to the setting he used when hauling in the nets. They had learned that this particular vibration from his vessel meant by-catch would soon be tossed overboard, guaranteeing them a meal.

Similarly, white pointers, etc learn to associate boats with food after regular shark-cage diving encounters (baits, even burley, are used to attract the sharks close to the cages for the divers to get their thrill) Thus, a couple of blokes heading out to snorkel or dive in their boat can become the focus of an expectant great white grown used to cage-diving/shark feeding tours.

Whilst I don`t want to deny anyone the shark-cage experience, the safety of other marine users needs to be taken into consideration. Perhaps there could be a forum arranged for shark tourism operators, fisheries officers and shark behavioural experts to meet to work on an exceptable compromise, allowing the tourism angle to exist without potentially jeopardising the lives of divers and swimmers.

Worth a shot, I reckon.

Scotty
10 Jul 12
2:59 pm


Hmmmmmmm…..now, what as I saying last night….??

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewe.....eat-white/

Ben
11 Jul 12
10:25 am


wowsers

Adsy
11 Jul 12
10:51 am


Being involved in the surf tourism industry and in the ocean every day, the idea of shark cage diving has always made me nervous…

Why encourage sharks to get excited around people, especially the big ones?!

Paul
11 Jul 12
2:27 pm


Well at least it’s a shot in the arm for the Port Lincon operator and the proposed new YHA to open there!

Scotty
16 Jul 12
9:23 am


Well, another tragic incident this weekend, with a 22 year old taken off WA……..I did predict this would continue to be a growing trend on this forum some time ago, given white pointer/great whites and their preferred prey, seals & sealions, have been protected for a similar amount of time. More food, no trophy-hunter losses= more adult sharks.

I believe that the lack of shark nets at popular beaches will help reduce the number of attacks close to popular areas where they could be trialled and managed, but it is impossible to net every beach along the Western seaboard. Either shark-repelling technology gets more funding asap or some form of culling will be to be considered.

I was quite gobsmacked to hear a representative of one form of Greenie movement or another tell the news reporter that more education about sharks would help reduce these sort of “interactions” between sharks & humans…..INTERACTIONS??? God help us!

Southern Africa, the US and several other popular tourism destinations are great white habitats: lets investigate how they manage to juggle protecting whites AND their tourism industry and take it from there.

Greg Cole
16 Jul 12
7:43 pm


Culling is a popular term for govt ministers to roll out to pacify a concerned public. “Lets kill the killers”. There’s no facts to support it actually works, no science to support it, and no evidence that nets (for culling) actually work – none. What the scientists are doing is spending $14 million in WA to try and understand why the attacks have increased. Not greenies, the current WA govt. So rather than the neanderthal approach of “catch and kill” whatever the cost, we have to let the experts do their work. It might just lead to a simple but effective repellent solution. It might change our behaviour.

Education – thus far – has reduced drownings in the ocean, reduced people getting lost or dying in the outback, and saved lives in innumerable ways. Yet it appears its being belittled here as some sort of greenie conspiracy. I met some greenies from the “movement” on the street today, they were trying to raise funds to save the Great Barrier Reef, imagine that. Education has taught us that swimming near seal colonies could be dangerous (it is banned in some parts of the world); that sharks are most active at dawn and dusk; that blood attracts them, and that Great Whites are the planets most feared and intelligent predator and we have much to learn about them. Education as a concept generally makes us smarter and more aware, at least its supposed to. Education might just be tourisms saviour. Like whale watching: if you see something magnificent and learn about it you’re probably less likely to want to kill it.

I’ve never met a surfer who wants sharks killed en-masse so they can be safer. On the contrary, they abhor this type of redneck behaviour towards ocean creatures. Glenn Orgias, the Bondi surfer who lost his arm to a great white in 2009 is now an advocate for shark protection, and still surfs at dusk despite the risks.

I just can’t see how killing something for doing what it does to survive is going to stop its extended family doing the same.

Scotty
17 Jul 12
10:48 am


Classic, Greg! Surfies aren`t the only folks getting eaten, are they? And no-one is talking about the kind of mass killing you have escalated my comment to….you would make a sensational Greenie, Greg..

A kid having a swim can be as educated as he likes, if there are seals or kingfish moving aliong the coast, occupying new areas, the white`s will follow and that kid is on the menu. It is a fact that the presence of marine stingers in Northern waters, and the rise in croc sightings, has been cited by agents down South as reasons NOT to visit the North (adding to stories of cyclones and THE WET!!!); you don`t reckon beach goers might think twice upon hearing of more attacks?

Tourists ARE influenced by such news articles as those now circulating on the web, and they aren`t as brave as they once were. It is imperative that ALL means of reducing fatal shark/human ‘interactions’ are examined, including, not wholesale slaughter, but “culling” (to select from a group: to reduce or control the size of (as a herd) by removal (as by hunting) : to hunt or kill (animals) as a means of population control (the larger, more dangerous sharks.)

BTW, Greg, as a resident of NSW, your kids and you have been protected at the beach by shark nets and drum lines, which thin out the population of larger sharks very effectively: do you campaign against this? Surely, its not a case of “I`m alright, Jack”, is it?

wish i could think of a witty name
17 Jul 12
12:19 pm


C’mon Scottie ease up big fella… there’s been a spike in attacks sadly which have resulted in deaths of late in that great big beautiful state. Who is to say this trend will continue – we may see no attacks or deaths for another few years. We don’t know. We should be careful how we react. Proper (and expensive it will be) research and consultation with experts, scientists and the local surfing, ocean using community should be our first course of action before any decision is made to cull.. No one knows how many of these big awesome fish are in the water. Fact.

All options should be used before we even consider to kill/cull. Its widely agreed that any shark that is hunted down will not have been involved in any attack on humans. Most surfers and frequent ocean users who are most open to the risk would agree. I think you are drawing a long bow when it comes to tourists not visiting because of shark attacks on local surfers. Yes it’s mostly surfers that are getting attacked. Regardless it’s the locals who use and care for the ocean over there – it is their opinion and consultation that should come first. Sydney & East Coast surfers and ocean users thankfully do not have worry too much about those big GW Noahs but attacks as you well know happen and can be fatal. Greg – he being a local ocean user ( I assume ) would fully know that and thus fully aware of the risks he takes when entering the water.

If a kid is swimming with seals or a run of kingfish they are either completely stupid or fully aware of their risky behaviour. In both cases that kid or the community have no right to demand the culling of sharks if the kid is attacked. You wouldn’t jump in the ocean up there in the wet nor would you swim downstream in a creek or river. Ease up mate.

Greg Cole
17 Jul 12
2:00 pm


Scotty, I’m sure you’re an expert on “Green” politics along with everything else you condemn and predict at the speed of light. Your posts – past and present – condemn green politics as a blight on society. Odd for someone who represents tourism in the region, but as a man about to bravely dive into the shark infested waters of politics, I’m sure you have a strategy. BTW, was it the greens who saved the Daintree? Or was it farmers and forestry?

Anyway, shark meshing: apparently it works; or statistically it says it works – attacks, yes, they continue. But fatalaties between Newcastle and Wollongong (the meshed area) since inception is I believe, 1 over many many years. As far as being “alright Jack”, yes, it’s comforting to know that a meshing program is in place at my local. When swimming outside of the meshed beaches I default back to my education on such matters. I still have all my limbs.

And ease up. You can’t attack or yell at everyone who disagrees with you. Last time we met in a live debate, you lost. It happens. Get over it.

Scotty
17 Jul 12
2:29 pm


Strange being referred to in such matey terms by someone anonymous.. and, actually, I DO swim in the stinger season and have to get out of tinnies in croc water, as well, from time to time. I also go spearfishing, diving & body surfing and am very bloody thankful for shark nets when I’m down the coast.

Why do you exaggerate the scenarios raised? I didn’t state that a kid would be swimming in a school of fish or amongst a colony of seals, either. Great whites patrol known areas: as those areas grow with the population increasing & taking up more areas, this brings the whites ever closer to populated areas. The fact that there are now way more big ones is the point you are overlooking, and I don’t need any research to work out why there are increasing numbers of attacks, it is apparent to anyone in the abalone and fishing industry.

I am on record on this site some time ago, predicting more frequent attacks. There is no enjoyment in being right, I can assure you. Maybe there won’t be any more fatal attacks for 5 years in WA or SA, maybe the experts will unlock new technology and save everyone from this worry, I don’t know, but I DO know that humans have reduced the populations of predatory animals since the discovery of fire and this “they were here first” attitude runs counter to our evolutionary interests (those whites aren’t picking off the weakest, are they?)

Surfing has risen in popularity amongst our international tourists. If the majority of tourism figures are prepared to gamble that the rate of attacks will slow by itself, goodonya. I’m over the other side of Oz, it won’t impact MY business, but I predict the negative effects of the mining boom on prices over in WA will be of less concern than a fall in West Coast surf & diving tourism.

Once again, I hope that ALL methods of reducing shark attacks are considered, including culling the monster-sized specimens. Go ask some ab divers if I’m on the money.

anon
17 Jul 12
3:29 pm


@Scotty “Surfing has risen in popularity amongst our international tourists” can I ask what you base this statement on, and over what time period you refer to?

anonamouse
17 Jul 12
3:43 pm


Anon – If you speak to the guys from Mojo or surf camp, or any of the many other prominent companies, numbers are far above and beyond what they have ever been previously.

Scotty
17 Jul 12
3:56 pm


Who’s yelling? As a spearo and someone who grew up diving only a few kilometers from where Vic Hislop caught his 24 foot record great white, this is an area I DO happen to know a bit about.

Anon, look at the number of surf schools in Oz now, compared to 10 years ago. The answer is self evident.

As for the amazing feats that we owe the Greenies for, the Daintree was a long time ago and didn’t save it from exploitation: the roads are so good now, you can drive up there in a Ferrari, not like the good old days of 4wd ONLY. Still, they did their best.

Not so great feats include their attempts to prevent Skyrail, which has not destroyed the rainforest, in fact, it plays a large role in educating folks about the need for SENSIBLE conservation (the kind I admire).

For instance, since the 90′s, the Greens have become such a dominant force in stopping new projects that such massively popular tourist attractions as Hamilton and Lizard Island, not to mention Fraser Island’s Kingfisher Bay, wouldn’t stand a snowballs chance in Hell of being built. Even relatively small projects on the coast are held up for years by Green tape. Growth is impossible in that sort of environment of a “guilty til proven innocent” approach ( I can assure you, trying to build Scottys in this day & age, with all the environmental considerations and BS regulations, you’d have to be dreamin!)

Once again, as a reef user and camper, I want conservation. What i DON’T support is PRESERVATION. There’s a big difference between these two ideals. Management is key to successfully exploiting our natural environment,not destroying it. Exploiting our strengths and using that as a Competitive advantage should not be seen as anti-environment.

Those who know me well know that my ideals aren’t extreme, they’re just sensible, which is more than I can say for your take on the problem in WA, Greg & Wishyouwerewitty.

Scotty
18 Jul 12
6:57 am


Apropos culling and its effectiveness in reducing animal/human “interactions”: in 2001, a child was killed and his brother mauled in a dingo attack on Fraser Island. As a result of this and other, less mass-media-exciting incidents, a culling program was introduced, which reduced the population of Fraser dingoes and eliminated the problem animals.

Other protection measures (such as electric hot wires around camping areas and more signage,etc)were also brought in and, as a result,there have not been any more fatalities involving digoes on Fraser.

Once again,there WAS outcry over the suggestion of culling the dingo population and there WAS another serious incident in 2011 where a 3 year old girl was mauled (her parents/guardians ignored all the warnings & let her wander off towards scrub,in direct contravention to Fraser Island advisory signs…).Overall, though, the result has been favourable; tourists STILL enjoy dingo sightings whilst on Fraser and the population pressure of the dingoes, where they over-grow the island`s ability to sustain them with wildlife other than tourists, has diminished.

That island dingo population is now controlled and better monitored.There is always room for improvement, and our Parks & Wildlife folks can learn more from the US, Canadian, Norwegian and African wildlife rangers on how to manage predatory animals, but the WA white pointer issue should not be treated any differently from any such program that may be required to improve the safety of marine activities.

anon
18 Jul 12
7:56 am


@anonamouse, that is great news, if mojo and surf camp are at record numbers that must mean there there are lots of backpackers around, seeing as they are doing so well and making more money than ever I’ll be sure to let Matt McCourt know to ask for higher commissions

wish i could think of a witty name
18 Jul 12
10:08 am


Scotty I’m not writing off what you say when it comes to your points on topic. I would just prefer to see a calm, rational decision made on factual evidence by experts not by hearsay from outsiders including both you and me. Again you draw a long bow comparing dingos to Great White Sharks. For a start Dingoes are not endangered. GWS are.
If politics fail you Scotty there is always talkback commercial radio host. You would excel at it. They are always right too.

Scotty
18 Jul 12
12:52 pm


Actually, Witty, the dingoes on Fraser are the last pure dingo stock, according to experts claims,and,thus,could be considered an ‘endangered’ species. However, I dispute the veracity of any claims that great whites are STILL endangered. After a 20 year no fishing ban, greater amounts of prey than in the previous 2 centuries of seal hunting and with the advent of the aquaculture industries, the poor wee beasties are still on the list? Maybe there`s an elephant in the room in our seas,too??

Whoever is monitoring their numbers is not comparing modern data with the correct, early data,I would guess: their stocks have risen dramatically in Australian and US waters, where marine research is at it’s best. South Africa has recoreded similar figures over the last 10 years,whilst anecdotal evidence from smaller Pacific and Indian ocean fishermen (where they AREN`T protected) concurs. All depends on whether you`re getting your data from WWF/PEW,ect or less-emotional sources.

Once again,if you read my initial post,there is no call to irrational action”:Either shark-repelling technology gets more funding asap or some form of culling will (definitely need) to be considered.” I ended with “Southern Africa, the US and several other popular tourism destinations are great white habitats: lets investigate how they manage to juggle protecting whites AND their tourism industry and take it from there.”

Enough of these accusations of non-’calm’decision making, Witty. My post was measured, it just stirred up the chamelion of this forum, Greg Cole, and yourself because I`m not going the cuddly-feely on an issue which results in horrible injuries/deaths AND has stirred bad publicity. We should learn from experts in other countries, which you won`t support, for some reason – maybe because that involves culling???

anon
18 Jul 12
4:20 pm


@anonamouse “numbers are far above and beyond what they have ever been previously” neither Mojo or Waves ran a Sydney trip today because they had zero bookings, is zero “far above and beyond”? what were they previously taking negative amounts?

anonamouse
19 Jul 12
9:09 am


Surf camp don’t even run trips this time of the year for that reason. Would you go surfing now? I know i wouldn’t – It’s snow season. If you speak to the likes of the surf schools in Bondi and Manly they will tell you their numbers are greater, not necessarily just backpackers but school trips and domestic markets are up too.

Thomas Wheeler
20 Jul 12
1:17 pm


Think we may have found the answer – it’s as simple as not dumping sheep in the sea!?

http://www.tntmagazine.com/new.....rk-attacks

Stumpy
8 Aug 12
7:53 am


How far off shore are the shark cages operated? If the cages are operated further off shore then will that attract the sharks away from the shore and people? If sharks learn that the food is a long way from the shore will they then hang around there waiting for a Swedish tourist to feed them through the cage rather than hang around near shore to feed on a Swedish tourist?

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