[2][3][4][5][6][7] Government officials often cite public safety (attempting to reduce the risk of shark attacks) as a reason for culling. PROS: Ability to sight sharks from the air and potentially give warning to water-goers through the use of sirens or signals. Although surfers have called for more drastic actions, like culling in coastal areas, which is an understandable response to such a monstrous predator, theres no evidence that the falling numbers will reduce the likelihood of shark attacks. The sharks' rights are enshrined in our law. But the methods of culling chicks are inhumane. How could they think that when shark attacks are becoming more and more common? When this happens, it poses great risks to animals, humans, and the entire ecosystem. Shark culling certainly kills plenty of sharks. You might be thinking that culling sharks would decrease the risk of attack, however, thats not the case. The attack occurred in an unpatrolled area. 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 . PROS: Supporters argue fewer sharks equal fewer attacks. As a result, the population of cats increased significantly. 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. [46] In the five years to August 2016, more than 170 sharks were killed as part of the cull. What do the Public Think About Culling Sharks? Sharks: they're some of the most majestic and wondrous animals in the ocean. In the three decades since nets were installed, there have been no fatal attacks at those beaches and only four resulting in serious injury. Without culling, all or most of them would have died of starvation. The feces would also contaminate waterways leading to the risk of diseases. What are the pros and cons of culling animals? Without this, it is estimated that the number of elephants would have increased to 80,000 by 2020, leading to mass starvation of both the elephants and other animals. Many people seem ready to begin a shark. for and against shark culling with fierce representations and opinions on both ends of the table. Many tourists are willing to pay thousands of dollars to go on hunting expeditions aimed at culling animals. The data is bounced to a satellite and an alert is sent to lifeguards and coastal authorities through a mobile phone app. [21] Sixty-five percent of shark attacks in New South Wales occurred at netted beaches. Sharks are long-lived and slow-growing. They did kill 14 great white sharks as well, but at what cost? A drumline trap is made up of a large baited hook attached to a floating object that is then anchored to the seabed. These measures are dangerous to other sea creatures like rays, turtles, dolphins, and small, harmless sharks, which get caught up in the traps. 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? This means they have to be culled. [11][21][22] They say there is no science showing that nets make the ocean safer for people. The proposition for shark culling has been widely opposed by environmentalists, conservationists, and most policymakers. But be aware of their limitations many devices haven't undergone independent testing, and no device will protect you in all circumstances". . [11][12][13][14], Carl Meyer, a researcher at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, calls the disagreements about shark culling a "philosophical" debate, about "whether it is ethical to kill large predators in order to make the natural environment a safer playground for humans. The Dorsal App claims to be Australia's largest shark alerts and reporting service. (to destroy our oceans), stunned the world. 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. There will be bycatch: in the 2014-2015 meshing season, 44 target sharks and 145 non-target marine life were entangled off netted NSW beaches. CONS: Contractor required to check drumlines and relocate the sharks, contractor needs to reach the caught shark in a timely manner, other marine life may be caught. 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. In Hawaii, almost 5,000 sharks were culled between 1959 and 1976 (18 years) with no reduction in shark bites. With about 90% of the worlds sharks and other large predatory fish wiped out through overfishing and culling, prey such as sea turtles and crabs have flourished. If a shark is sighted in the area leave the water as quickly and calmly as possible. These diseases can decimate large animal and human populations if not well handled. Below are five reasons why the practice is not 100% foolproof. Unfortunately, instead of the yields increasing, they went down, causing greater losses. "[46] Runion authorities currently kill about 100 sharks per year. Free of shark harassment, turtles are munching seagrass, and crabs have been disrupting seabed sediment. Overall, the Jaws effect and cull programs resulting from an inaccurate shark mental . Cant we co-exist peacefully using appropriate measures that keep us safe and sharks alive? Surfer Mick Fanning changed the colour of his board from yellow to dark blue after hearing sharks were attracted to lightly coloured, shiny things. They are killed to protect surfers, swimmers and other people engaging in ocean water activities. The simple answer is yes, but if done right. Among the advocates was the world-renowned surf champion and climate activist, Kelly Slater. Posted on Last updated: November 18, 2022. More about how we earn money as an affiliate. Basically, the sharks are unable to move and this is fatal for many species. Hawaii shark control programs of the 1960s and 1970s, for example, were not . They also scavenge, clearing the water of decomposing debris. Across the Pacific Islands, sharks hold important cultural value. The call for a massive cull was backed by the fatal shark attacks in the surrounding waters. The term "shark control" is often used by governments when referring to culls. [21], There are also reports of shark attack survivors being harassed and abused on social media, presumably by extreme environmentalists. The impassioned statement for the mass shark cull on Reunion Island coming from such an environmental enthusiast, well-known for clothing brand. CONS: No more swimming/surfing/kayaking etc. To begin with, culling generates money through tourism, especially where wildlife is involved. "[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. They are literal nets that are designed to prevent sharks from getting near humans. Below are the 10 important pros and cons of culling animals. There are certainly a disproportionate number of them out there. Lets start with the fact that were protecting different animal species; why shouldnt we protect sharks? Maybe we should have a cull on mattress stores. "[74] Kelly Wang of One Green Planet said, "Australia's attitude towards its sharks is truly horrific. Some trials of the technology have taken place, with another trial due to begin this year at Port Stephens. [81] Tuna and swordfish longline fishing off the coast of South Africa reported 39,000 to 43,000 sharks killed each year between 1995 and 2005. PROS: Provide a complete barrier between swimmers and sharks. Dr Daniel Bucher from Southern Cross University told the ABC: "Great whites are a threatened species and the existing population is already low. PROS: Statistics support the efficacy of drumlines in reducing shark attacks. 426 Words; 2 Pages; Decent Essays. The Canadian seal hunt is another example. 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. This led to the termination of the three-year program afteronly three months. Disease reduction deserves mention on the pros and cons of culling animals. 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 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 states coast. Humans kill an estimated 100 million sharks a year. "[17], A drum line is an unmanned aquatic trap used to lure and capture large sharks using baited hookssome (such as those in Queensland) are designed to kill sharks. You will find affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links. We need them for healthy oceans. ", "Surfer Shark Attack On Reunion Island Leaves Man Without Arm And Foot", "Shark Cull Announced By France Follows Second Fatal Attack Off Runion Island This Year", "Another Fatal Shark Attack On Runion Island Bodyboarder And Trained Shark-spotter Is Ninth Death In Six Years", "Dunedin shark-nets film 'positive environmental story', "Here's How Communities Around The World Are Trying To Prevent Shark Attacks (, "Alternatives to Shark Nets and Drumlines", "Australia: More than 170 sharks caught under controversial cull program", "WA Abandons Shark Culling Program, But Reserves Right To Kill Again", "Premier Mark McGowan's Shark Plan Not Enough To Protect Us", "Sharks To Be Caught On SMART Drum Lines Off WA's South West After Labor U-turn", "Environmental activists demand shark drum line trial be abandoned", "EPA determines SMART drumline proposal would have minimal impact", "QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO SENATE REFFERRED[sic] INQUIRY INTO THE EFFICACY AND REGULATION OF SHARK MITIGATION AND DETERRENT MEASURES", "Surfing Australia submission to the Senate Enquiry into the Efficacy and Regulation of Shark Deterrent Measures", "Inside La Runion's Shark Cull: Why the Locals Want Them Dead", "Beyond the panic: the facts about shark nets", "HISTORY OF PROTECTION AGAINST SHARK ATTACK IN KZN", https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/acv.12096, "The Importance of Sharks In the Ecosystem", "Western Australia's shark cull faces legal challenge from conservationists", "Media Statements - WA to conduct scientific trial of SMART drumlines", http://www.sealifetrust.org.au/cause-view/, "Mike Baird is right, culling sharks doesn't work here's what we can do instead", "Call to classify shark culling and drum lines as threats to endangered species", http://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20181008/expert-shark-threat-always-going-to-be-problem-for-cape-cod, "How to swim with sharks and not get eaten", "Shark attack survivor and drumline contractor say conservation group supporters harass them", "Wiley: Humane Strategy Reduces Shark Attacks", "A Review of the Biology and Status of White Sharks in Australian Waters", "Shark Bycatch in Commercial Fisheries: A Global Perspective", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shark_culling&oldid=1136492434, This page was last edited on 30 January 2023, at 15:59. , conservationists, and most policymakers claims to be Australia 's largest alerts... 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