[38][39][19][40] The killings have been called a cull. But scientists argue that while such hunts may quench the public's desire for vengeance after a [shark] attack, they do little to reduce the likelihood of another one. They are fierce creatures, and a lot of people have a genuine and debilitating fear of them. [49], From 1959 to 1976, a government-funded program killed 4,668 sharks in Hawaii. [69][6][31] They also say that shark culling is "outdated, cruel and ineffective". Before we take a closer look at shark culling, lets address the prevalence of shark attacks. Unfortunately, our government authorities aren't marine ecology experts and don't always understand the impacts of such a decision. has been looking into available options to minimize the risk of shark attacks. Also, the removal of some animals creates more space and food for those left, leading to a higher rate of survival and reproduction. [9][8] The Queensland Government states that the purpose of the program is to "reduce the possibility of shark attacks on humans in coastal waters of the state adjacent to popular coastal beaches used for bathing" and "is committed to maintaining this important safety initiative". Those who don't die immediately on these lines are shot by a contractor who is employed by the Queensland Government. It was later discovered that the flying fox was the chief agent of pollination for more than half of the islands plant life. In Australia, white sharks had caused several human fatalities. The predatory role of sharks is also significant for the worlds economy. Other farmers resort to crushing the chicks, a totally unethical practice. [59] Organisations that support shark control programmes include the Queensland State Government,[41] NSW State Government,[1] Surfing Australia,[60] Surfing NSW,[61] Surf Life Saving Queensland,[62] several politicians within the Liberal National Party of Queensland,[41] the French Overseas Department of Runion,[63] and the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board. In Queensland, in 54 years of operation, only one fatal shark attack has been recorded at a controlled beach,[62] compared to a total of 27 fatal attacks between 1919 and 1961. All Use of colored and striped swimwear and equipment. [16], Christopher Neff, a Ph.D. scholar at the University of Sydney notes, "Internationally, shark nets have been labeled a 'key threatening process' for killing endangered species." "[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. Sharks are more use alive than dead This is a difficult time. When bats are culled in South America to prevent rabies, for example, care must be taken to remove overabundant vampire bats, rather than insectivorous bats that typically do not interact with. This leads to an explosion in population because the older ones are not there to chase away or kill the younger ones. Sharks regulate the behaviour of prey species, and prevent them from over-grazing vital habitats. ", "Western Australia's 'Serious Threat' Shark Policy Condemned by Senate", "Western Australia's Shark Culls Lack Bite (And Science)", "Sharks: How a cull could ruin an ecosystem", "No Shark Cull: Why Some Surfers Don't Want to Kill Great Whites Despite Lethal Attacks", "Responding to the risk of white shark attack: updated statistics, prevention, control, methods and recommendation. is a freelance blogger based in Pakistan. CONS: Can not be everywhere at once, possible visibility issues when water clarity is not ideal, financial cost of hiring aircraft and/or personnel to conduct surveillance, water-users may ignore warnings. The same was observed in ferrets on a British island. "[15], Shark nets such as those used in New South Wales are designed to entangle and kill sharks and other animals that pass near them. Overfishing, shark finning, climate change, black market trade, and habitat loss have had a massive effect on sharks. Their population, especially in the wild, is dwindling at a very fast pace. Avoiding shark culling allows fish to mature and recover. But in KwaZulu-Natal, hundreds of harmless sharks - as well as turtles, dolphins and rays - still meet an untimely death every year as a result of the 28 kilometers of shark nets installed by KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board (KZNSB). The state government decided to spray pesticides targeting those mosquitoes that bite humans at night. We need them for healthy oceans. Every year, thousands of seals are hunted down and killed as a way of controlling their population. Human Evolution In Nature These measures are dangerous to other sea creatures like rays, turtles, dolphins, and small, harmless sharks, which get caught up in the traps. 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. This is not about public safety, rather it's a blatant tactic to reduce public scrutiny by a government under increased public pressure to end its archaic culling program. This explains why this point could not miss on our list of important pros and cons of culling animals. Shark culling or "shark control" is the act of deliberately killing sharks, thus reducing their population sizes, and preventing shark attacks. Those with undesirable traits are culled, allowing farmers to drive profitability. The group of experts also add weight to other facets of the shark cull. Films like Jaws have given everyone the false impression that sharks are out there waiting for humans to bob by so they can snap and feast. The price of shark culling is too high with other marine life getting caught on the lines 4. However, after a while, new cats started appearing. They also scavenge, clearing the water of decomposing debris. [2][3][4][5][6][40][68] They say sharks are important to the marine ecosystem and that killing them harms the marine ecosystem. Below are the 10 important pros and cons of culling animals. You might be thinking that culling sharks would decrease the risk of attack, however, thats not the case. The average person believes that if there is a shark in the water nearby, its almost certainly going to attack them and kill them. PROS: Statistics support the efficacy of drumlines in reducing shark attacks. [10], Culling compared to bycatch from commercial fishing. Since 2012, Queensland's Shark Control Program has been responsible for 7,504 animals being . If another way of controlling animal populations is not developed, very soon, many species might be wiped off the face of the earth. Dr Daniel Bucher from Southern Cross University told the ABC: "Great whites are a threatened species and the existing population is already low. 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. "Shark culling is a relic of the past. Legal shark culling is mainly practiced in four locations: New South Wales (Australia), Queensland (Australia), KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), and Reunion Waters (France). Most shark species take longer to reach maturity, especially the larger species such as bullshark, who take about. for and against shark culling with fierce representations and opinions on both ends of the table. In Hawaii, sharks were culled during the 1960s and '70s with no reduction in bites; recent tagging research implicates habitat preference as the primary driver of shark density, with new sharks moving into preferred areas upon the elimination of other sharks. Shark culling is a term used to describe the blatant killing of sharks and is also used by some to describe the use of traditional drumlines. Sharks are [viewed as] either a commodity or a pest, instead of a respected fellow species on this planet. Apps They believe that we should protect the danger and put sharks before humans. She started writing about her passion for the environment when the world came to a stop in early 2020. [14][48], Shark nets were installed in Dunedin, New Zealand for roughly 40 years, and were removed in 2011. Sharks have gained an identity of the vengeful. This means they have to be culled. One of the solutions focused on the culling of four pests that were carriers of this disease; rats, sparrows, flies, and mosquitoes. Here, culling is done based on factors affecting cow performance, such as milk production, reproductive status, and diseases. Humans kill an estimated 100 million sharks a year. CONS: Further testing needed, including to see if large fish and non-target marine life are picked up by the buoys. Some trials of the technology have taken place, with another trial due to begin this year at Port Stephens. 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. [80] The NSW prawn trawling industry alone results in 64 tonnes of shark as bycatch each year,[64] with two thirds dying. The unprovoked shark attacks incited surfers to call for shark culls in Reunion Waters and other places worldwide. You can be a voice for sharks and other marine life by signing the petition to end 84 years of shark culling, remove the nets and drum lines and opt for more non-lethal alternatives to shark mitigation. They did kill 14 great white sharks as well, but at what cost? Shark culling is ludicrous, you have more of a chance dying from a coconut falling on you than a shark attack, . This is done by targeting and eliminating animals that are sick or have undesirable characteristics. (a site that tracks attacks and fatalities by sharks across Australia), there is an average of 10 fatalities per year due to shark attacks globally, compared to the approximately 100 million sharks killed by humans annually for food, sport, and safety. Check out our guide. They use baited hooks to lure and trap the animals, not unlike fishing lines. It is estimated that up to 100 million sharks are caught globally each year. As stated earlier, culling should be based on solid facts and a well-thought-out plan of action. [19], Since the policy was implemented there has only been one recorded death, at Amity Point in January 2006. PROS: An electrical repellent known as the 'shark shield' has been independently shown to be effective at deterring sharks from biting, most of the time. [12] The current shark cull in KwaZulu-Natal has been criticized by environmentalists, and has been called "archaic" and "disastrous to the ecosystem". Alternative ways of dealing with this problem should be established. [62], Environmentalists, conservationists, scientists, animal rights activists and shark experts oppose shark culling. [51], The impact of shark culling is minor compared to bycatch from commercial fishing. Of these animals, 7 were dolphins, 7 were green sea turtles, and 10 were grey nurse sharks, which are critically endangered. The impassioned statement for the mass shark cull on Reunion Island coming from such an environmental enthusiast, well-known for clothing brand. They have been trialled in Western Australia. The shark cull may in fact be exacerbating the shark problem in a cruel and ironic circle. CONS: Shark biologist Dr Rachel Robbins told Radio National: "The problem is, it could lead people into a false sense of security because they'll think 'there hasn't been a detection in two weeks', however we're only looking at tagged sharks and we're only going to ever be able to tag a very small portion of the shark population at any one time". Shark sightings and reports from the public as well as from government and emergency services are recorded, with alerts sent out to user's smart phones and via social media. Both domestic and wild animals can contract diseases when they come into contact with bacteria in soil, plants, or water. As a keystone species, sharks are important for maintaining the delicate balance in the aquatic ecosystem. [12] Although shark species such as the great white shark are protected in South Africa, the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board is allowed to kill these sharks (an exception was made for them). Unfortunately, of the 172 sharks that were killed, none were white sharks. The data is bounced to a satellite and an alert is sent to lifeguards and coastal authorities through a mobile phone app. Professor Colin Buxton of the University of Tasmania told the ABC: "the use of shark nets and drum lines is a proven way of reducing shark attack, however the public need to understand and acknowledge that this works by killing sharks". The statement, however, was twisted by a local newspaper writer as the lives of sharks are more important than humans. 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. 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