Turtle trapped in net. Photo Sea Shepherd/Envoy Film via Right To Information.
Shocking pictures of marine life killed or injured by Queensland shark nets have been obtained under FOI and released this morning by Sea Shepherd Australia, showing dolphins, rays and turtles caught in nets.
Sea Shepherd spokesperson Jonathan Clark said, ‘The true cost of this shark culling program is obvious – too many precious animals are dying. These walls of death are not proven to do anything for swimmer safety yet they have a devastating toll on marine life as shown in these disturbing images.
‘Mark Furner [whose responsibilities as state minister include fisheries and animal welfare] needs to action the removal of these deadly nets from all Queensland’s beaches and replace them with modern animal-friendly solutions immediately,’ said Mr Clark.
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Subscriber only FOOTAGE of a shark euthanised after being caught in drumlines off the coast of Bargara has resurfaced amid concerns little has been done to ensure history does not repeat. Mistreatment of sharks has caused global debate for years, with many cases of the carnivorous fish becoming entangled on nets or drumlines and euthanised as a result, often without even putting humans at risk. Despite Bundaberg beaches not recording a fatal shark attack in almost a century, data from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries QFISH shows 49 sharks were killed and just nine were released last year, off local beaches.