OK - So this might have been asked before - but there wasn't much listed when I did a search.

In the wake of the annual whale vs shark nets problem:

What's peoples general opinion on shark nets?

Do people even know exactly how they work? From the response of people I talk to, the general idea is that the create a "barrier" like a stinger net - this of course not being true.

Isn't this type of "protection" a bit out dated?? The nets main objective is to kill sharks, lowering the population in a specific area and therefore reducing the chances of people/shark contact.

I'm not sure about the rest of Oz, but baited drums are another "protection system" ripe throughout QLD. Same objective, except they actively attract the sharks to the area first!!?

One would assume that the majority of the Seabreeze community would have a higher than normal appreciation for the oceans and their critters..?

I don't care how they catch my fish n chips

evlPanda said...

They stop chop really well and should be investigated for making transportable, configurable speed strips.

firiebob said...

I absolutely hate the ferken things

+1

^^
The South African topic is an interesting read!

It is true that there will probably never be a Government in Australia brave enough to remove the nets or drum lines.

But, if an area is that heavily populated with dangerous sharks, should we be swimming there at all?

Is it really worth reducing the local population just so we can go for a slightly (almost negligibly) safer swim?

We already kill over 100 000 000 sharks every year! Our fish populations rely on these guys to do their job - hunting down the sick, injured or mutated fish before they have a chance of infecting others or breeding.

Basically, without a healthy shark population, those of you who do enjoy a bit of fish and chips will start to struggle!..... well, there should still be plenty of chips!!

On a positive note:

There has been a huge shift in the water loving peoples attitude towards shark attacks.... Most victims seem to accept it was the risk they were taking by being out there, and not follow the old mentality of "Lets hunt down the one shark responsible" (Vic Hislop style)

^^^^ they better beware Jessicia's out there

kiteboy dave said...

firiebob said...

I absolutely hate the ferken things

+1

+2

Skid said...

To me it is simple, if you want to play in the ocean, accept the fact that you have a risk of no longer being at the top of the food chain!







^^what they said

Recorded catch in QLD to 1988
Shark Control Program
Total Sharks: 1962-88 30,630
Dolphins: 1962-88 520
Dugongs: 1962-88 576
Turtles: 1962-88 3656
Rays: 1962-88 13,765
Source: Biological Conservation Journal

Pretty nasty numbers - dugongs are pretty rare aren't they?

I read years ago that there's one particular net off southern goldie, near currumbin maybe, that accounts for around 70% of marine life kills by shark nets in QLD. Have searched but I can't find anything about it now.

F**k them off i say.

**** the sharks .. man kind is top of the food chain for a reason .. what if some one u knew got killed by a shart attack ?

Mark _australia said...

nick0 said...

**** the sharks .. man kind is top of the food chain for a reason .. what if some one u knew got killed by a shart attack ?

I've seen some pretty gory shart attacks but I don't think anyone has been killed

Nice pick up Mark!
Yes shart attacks are not pretty. Despite my name, I think I would prefer to be the victim of a shark attack

Kiteman dave, .......your good with figures i see.....
pray tell me how many Dugong have been chased down by
aust native people in tinnys, with big HP motors hanging
out the back, then pulled ashore with rope tired to the toyota????
and then eaten.
p .s. i do know they are entitled to hunt Dugong, in the traditional manner,
i e a bark canoe and paddle. I think they are now into rubber duckys,
purchased by govt agency's and ngo's

cwamit said...

i will reply to the question with another question...

what traits will the sharks after many generations have that will keep them away from nets through natural selection to that of the sharks that have died from the sharks nets.?

any ideas?

Natural selection/evolution happens over a very long period of time... I don't think we have to worry about sharks developing net cutting lasers on their head..

nick0 said...

**** the sharks .. man kind is top of the food chain for a reason .. what if some one u knew got killed by a shart attack ?

When we're in the ocean, we're far from the top of the food chain! Mankind is nothing but a splashing chunk of meat in there, we're useless in the water...