A fatal shark attack near Hull Heads, south of Cairns in far north Queensland, has reignited a heated debate over shark management in Australian waters. While it remains unclear what type of shark was responsible for the attack, the incident has prompted renewed calls from local fishers for stronger measures to reduce dangerous encounters.
Marine experts say there are measures people can take to reduce their risk. If you are in the water and you are spearfishing, you have a much higher chance of an interaction with a shark, simply because you are fishing while they are fishing in their food source, one expert explained. The area east of Hull Heads is known for its excellent fishing grounds but is also renowned for shark activity.
Some local fishers are arguing that shark numbers, particularly bull sharks, have increased significantly since commercial catch restrictions were introduced. I think there needs to be some sort of a cull on the sharks because you cannot commercially catch them anymore, and they keep getting a lot more, said one local fisher.
The calls for action have been fuelled by the emotional toll on the community. I think it is worth the discussion when family members are not coming home that perhaps things are getting a little bit unbalanced and maybe we need to balance them again, another resident said, reflecting the growing frustration in coastal communities across far north Queensland.
Shark culling remains a deeply divisive issue in Australia, with environmental groups opposing any lethal measures while fishing and coastal communities argue that the current management approach is failing to protect swimmers and divers. Investigations into the fatal attack are continuing.