501(c)(3) Non-Profit, Tax ID#: 82-1646340, The Truth about Shark Culling & the Devastating Environmental Impacts, According to the National Geographic estimates, we have already wiped out 90% of the worlds sharks. For example, in dairy farming, culling is important because it helps determine the cows economic performance. [22][21][11][39][40][70][71][72][73], The Sea Shepherd group said, "Politicians responsible for the shark cull policy have displayed an unwillingness to explore other shark mitigation strategies". To put that into perspective, jellyfish kill 40 people a year and in the United States alone, over 400 people die from falling out of bed. This approach causes unnecessary animal suffering to both target and non-target species. This took a lot of manpower to clean. In 2016, the country also announced a decision to cull hippos in Kruger National Park after a drought. You will find affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links. That list can include any act that further endangers already threatened species, or adversely affects two or more listed threatened species. The call for a massive cull was backed by the fatal shark attacks in the surrounding waters. How does killing sharks affect the ecosystem? 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. [68] Michael Levenson of the Boston Globe said the following about shark culls: "Traditionally, shark hunts, or culls, have been the first and perhaps most primal response to shark attacks worldwide. [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. Dr Daniel Bucher from Southern Cross University told the ABC: "Great whites are a threatened species and the existing population is already low. They set up traps to catch and kill the cats. Over the span of 23 years, 1,589 replacement heifers were exposed to bulls. "[41] Most Whitsunday locals resisted the cull. These large species of animals have low reproduction rates and take very long to mature. "[21] Shark author and diver Hugh Edwards said, "We're the intruders in the ocean and the sharks have got a perfect right to be there. and other bivalves. The government came up with a program to combat the disease. [15][52], In 2014, a shark cull in Western Australia killed dozens of sharks (mostly tiger sharks) using drum lines,[53] until it was canceled after public protests and a decision by the Western Australia EPA; from 2014 to 2017, there was an "imminent threat" policy in Western Australia in which sharks that "threatened" humans in the ocean were shot and killed. This is done by targeting and eliminating animals that are sick or have undesirable characteristics. However, it was later discovered that the major transmitters of the virus were daytime mosquitos, meaning they had been killing the wrong species. In Hawaii, almost 5,000 sharks were culled between 1959 and 1976 (18 years) with no reduction in shark bites. In New Zealand, for example, after WWI, the emus had multiplied so fast that they were a danger to farmers. It is a disservice to the public. Sharks: they're some of the most majestic and wondrous animals in the ocean. 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". . [18][27] The New South Wales Green party said they wanted all lethal nets to be removed. Additionally, these sharks can be tracked via apps by surfers before entering the water. These measures are dangerous to other sea creatures like rays, turtles, dolphins, and small, harmless sharks, which get caught up in the traps. One of the solutions focused on the culling of four pests that were carriers of this disease; rats, sparrows, flies, and mosquitoes. Well, heres a detailed list of all the benefits and drawbacks that come with this practice. And, sharks are being caught faster than they can mature. [57] In January 2019 the Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia determined that the "SMART" drumline trial would have minimal impact on the environment.[58]. If these animals are left unchecked, they will completely alter or destroy the habitat they live in. How could they think that when shark attacks are becoming more and more common? The purpose of shark culling is to kill sharks in order to decrease the shark population in an attempt to lower the amount of shark on human attacks. Global Perspectives on the Biology and Life History of the White Shark", "A comparison of the shark control programs of New South Wales and Queensland (Australia) and KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)", "Durban activists claim 'shark nets serve no purpose', "Man Who Devoted Life To Sharks, Killed Off The Coast Of Reunion", "In Face Of Shark Attacks, Some Suggest A Gruesome Preemptive Strike", "Shark Nets in Australia What Are They and How Do They Work? In Northern Australia, tourists are offered an opportunity to hunt crocodiles that have been earmarked for culling. [11], The shark-killing program in Queensland has been criticized by environmentalists, conservationists, and animal welfare advocatesthey say Queensland's shark-killing program is unethical and harms the marine ecosystem. Physical barriers in dangerous or crowded spots. There is another fascinating benefit they provide, with the bigger shark species using their size to intimidate and regulate the behaviour of their prey, stopping them from overusing certain habitats. "[12], The prevalence of shark attacks at Runion Islandthere were 19 attacks between 2011 and 2016, including seven which were fatalprompted Runion island's government to carry out a range of systematic long term activities utilising "smart" drumlines and longlines. CONS: Further testing needed, including to see if large fish and non-target marine life are picked up by the buoys. A smart drum line is based on the traditional drumline design, but includes technology that can alert rangers to the capture of marine life and they can then attend the device if sea conditions permit. Overall, the Jaws effect and cull programs resulting from an inaccurate shark mental . [16] Humane Society International calls the nets a "knee-jerk reaction". This helps to strengthen the gene pool of animals because only the fittest animals are allowed to survive. [78], In a program in Recife, Brazil, sharks were captured and moved 8 kilometers away from local beaches (though, the program did result in the deaths of about 23% of animals caught on the drum lines, including 114 sharks between 2007 and 2011). For example, between 1967 and 1994, South Africa culled a total of 14,562 elephants. This led to the termination of the three-year program afteronly three months. Sharks regulate the behaviour of prey species, and prevent them from over-grazing vital habitats. "[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. They are used throughout Western Australia where they are typically fixed at a depth of about 6 meters and run just under 200 meters long. Whats more, 65% of the shark attacks that occurred in New South Wales were at beaches that had nets installed. Cleaning of garbage and sewage runoff. 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. Decent Essays. There are certainly a disproportionate number of them out there. 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. Also, as the culling of elephants continues in South Africa, many East African nations are struggling to increase their herds, many of which were killed in the 1980s. [69][6][31] They also say that shark culling is "outdated, cruel and ineffective". 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. Should Shark Culling Be Banned? These traps are designed to capture bull, tiger, or great white sharks off popular beaches. "[15], Jane Williamson, an associate professor in marine ecology at Macquarie University, says "There is no scientific support for the concept that culling sharks in a particular area will lead to a decrease in shark attacks and increase ocean safety. The culling of ferrets led to a doubling of their population. The same happens in North America, where tourists pay as much as 500 dollars to hunt White-tail deer. Read the full story at: http://ab.co/19EtXgZ. PROS: Provide a complete barrier between swimmers and sharks. Also, the removal of some animals creates more space and food for those left, leading to a higher rate of survival and reproduction. Removal of large ocean predators causes a meltdown in the delicate oceanic ecosystem that influences the carbon emissions, and thats exactly whats happening in Australia, said Dr Peter Macreadie, co-author of the paper. In total, more than 8,000 marine species with some level of protection status have been caught by the Queensland Shark Control Program, including 719 loggerhead turtles, 442 manta rays and 33 critically endangered hawksbill turtles. Check out our guide. "[34], "[Data] reveals the ecological carnage of [Queensland's] shark control regime. Their practices show no respect for these beautiful animals at all. In the three decades since nets were installed, there have been no fatal attacks at those beaches and only four resulting in serious injury. There are several creatures, as small as microscopic infectious viruses to as big as hippopotamuses, that had befallen death on our loved one. They have been trialled in Western Australia. Their population, especially in the wild, is dwindling at a very fast pace. Shark culling or shark control is the act of deliberately killing sharks, thus reducing their population sizes, and preventing shark attacks. sharks, causes a . We need to avoid shark culls and give them enough time to survive, grow, and reproduce. [14][48], Shark nets were installed in Dunedin, New Zealand for roughly 40 years, and were removed in 2011. It was curtailed by the culling of more than one million pigs. 588 Words; What do the Public Think About Culling Sharks? [1], In Recife, Brazil, the number of shark attacks was reduced by 97% when long lines and drum lines were deployedin the Recife program, some of the sharks were caught on drum lines and then moved away from the shoreline. [18] Shark experts and conservationists also say there is no evidence that drum lines prevent shark attacks. When it is supported by science and done in the right manner, culling offers many benefits to both humans and animals. Unfortunately, of the 172 sharks that were killed, none were white sharks. Sparrows helped to regulate the population of locusts and other insect pests in rural China. As a result of many insectivorous bats, which help to reduce crop pests, have been killed in the process. They also scavenge, clearing the water of decomposing debris. has been looking into available options to minimize the risk of shark attacks. Shark nets are also used in New South Wales, which includes major cities like Sydney and Canberra. Sharks captured using SMART drumlines are tagged and released into the wild where they can be studies further. Here, culling is done based on factors affecting cow performance, such as milk production, reproductive status, and diseases. The founder of. They are fierce creatures, and a lot of people have a genuine and debilitating fear of them. Before culling is done, it is important to consider the economic benefits of the exercise. It. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), abc.net.au/news/protecting-humans-from-sharks-what-are-the-options/7979206, Get breaking news alerts directly to your phone with our app. [49], From 1959 to 1976, a government-funded program killed 4,668 sharks in Hawaii. But the question is, do shark culling programs help save human lives? [51], The impact of shark culling is minor compared to bycatch from commercial fishing. Is the culling of animals, right? Bottom Line Avoiding shark culling allows fish to mature and recover. Fishing World is Australias premier and longest established fishing magazine and has become known as the sport fishing bible. Every year, thousands of seals are hunted down and killed as a way of controlling their population. Like natural predation, culling also helps to keep the food web healthy. There also economic benefits of culling domestic animals, especially in commercial farming. The KZNSB also states that there were seven fatal attacks at Durban from 1943 until the installation of shark nets in 1952, and that no fatalities or incidents resulting in serious injury have occurred since nets were installed. [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". The Grom Life is an independent publisher. Sharks hold a economic and cultural significance to many communities. 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