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. Disease reduction deserves mention on the pros and cons of culling animals. Achieving a Sustainable Population The culling of animals is also beneficial in helping to maintain the sustainability of the ecosystem. What Is The Purpose Of Shark Culling? Intensively farmed animals like poultry and pigs also play a big role in the growth of virulent diseases like swine flu and avian influenza (H5N1). Between October 2007 and December 2011, about 23% of animals caught on the drum lines died. A survey of more than 1,800 people found significant similarities in how different groups of . PROS: Supporters argue fewer sharks equal fewer attacks. 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. Anthrax, for example, is spread by domestic and wild animals. They help regulate the population and distribution of the species below them in the food chain, thus maintaining the diversity undersea. Maybe we should have a cull on mattress stores. However, sometimes they do not distinguish between the different types of bats. Read More. How could they think that when shark attacks are becoming more and more common? Physical barriers in dangerous or crowded spots. 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 nets are also used in New South Wales, which includes major cities like Sydney and Canberra. Bottom Line Also during this period, a total of 15,135 marine animals were killed in the nets, including whales, turtles, rays, dolphins, and dugongs. So instead of becoming the solution, culling compounds the problem. We need them for healthy oceans. Their population, especially in the wild, is dwindling at a very fast pace. Sharks are long-lived and slow-growing. Across the Pacific Islands, sharks hold important cultural value. The data is bounced to a satellite and an alert is sent to lifeguards and coastal authorities through a mobile phone app. They confuse humans for defenseless animals (which, arguably, we are in the eyes of a shark), and most of the time, they dont really care what were doing. There are situations where the culled species continue increasing because of the culling. As a result, they were classified as pests, and the government initiated efforts to cull them. [62], Environmentalists, conservationists, scientists, animal rights activists and shark experts oppose shark culling. [21] Sixty-five percent of shark attacks in New South Wales occurred at netted beaches. The New South Wales Government believes shark nets are worth trialling and plans to install shark nets in a trial off the north coast before the end of the year. Its not a quick death and its not a pleasant one, either. Many countries are also reaping billions of dollars from reef . But even then, unintended consequences can arise, which affects biodiversity. Marketed as 'eco friendly' having become artificial habitats for marine life. Fishing World is Australias premier and longest established fishing magazine and has become known as the sport fishing bible. Black wetsuits have been criticised by some for making swimmers and surfers look like seals. ", "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. Its a knee-jerk reactionpeople get bitten, people die, the government starts killing sharks. [12] Shark nets are currently installed in Marine Protected Areas, and kill animals there. [19], The government of New South Wales has a program that deliberately kills sharks using shark nets. They set up traps to catch and kill the cats. "[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. 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. [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 WA Fisheries minister highlighted the need to concentrate and invest in new and emerging technologies that offer real protection for the people who are most at risk, i.e., surfers and swimmers. Sure, sharks are dangerous and if they get you in their sights, they can destroy you in an instant. But the question is, do shark culling programs help save human lives? The same was observed in ferrets on a British island. As of May, 2021, the effectiveness of SMART drumlines were in question, adding more fuel to the controversial topic of shark culling. 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. What It Means For Sharks & People. Chapter 29 In: M. L. Domeier (ed). We need to protect sharks to protect our environment. Cape Cod voters, tourists and commercial fishermen are all likely to recognize sharks as an important, beneficial piece of the local marine ecosystem, but when it comes to seals, the groups have more divergent views, according to newly published data. This is done by targeting and eliminating animals that are sick or have undesirable characteristics. In spite of such efforts no significant decrease in rate of shark attacks was ever detected. Struggling to get your head around the shark situation on the north coast of New South Wales? [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. Cant we co-exist peacefully using appropriate measures that keep us safe and sharks alive? [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. I can understand that because there has been a lot of aggression and threatening behaviour in the community.. The program did not change the rate of shark attacks in the waters of Hawaii. [56] In November 2018, more than 7,000 Western Australians signed a petition demanding that the planned "SMART" drum line trial be abandoned. However, based on the data above, one cant conclude that shark culling is effective. 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). Here, culling is done based on factors affecting cow performance, such as milk production, reproductive status, and diseases. PROS: Ability to sight sharks from the air and potentially give warning to water-goers through the use of sirens or signals. This is done to prevent habitat degradation, protect diversity, and reduce human-wildlife conflict. Valerie Taylor is a competitive spear fisher turned shark conservationist who is adamantly opposed to shark culling and the methods used. [32] From 1962 to 2018, roughly 50,000 sharks were killed by Queensland authorities.[33]. Over the span of 23 years, 1,589 replacement heifers were exposed to bulls. Use of colored and striped swimwear and equipment. Unfortunately, of the 172 sharks that were killed, none were white sharks. Decent Essays. Avoid surfing at dusk, or alone, or in the most dangerous spots with murky water. Top on this list of pros and cons of culling animals are the economic benefits from culling. However, there are some people who think otherwise. Every year, thousands of seals are hunted down and killed as a way of controlling their population. [80] The NSW prawn trawling industry alone results in 64 tonnes of shark as bycatch each year,[64] with two thirds dying. [46] In the five years to August 2016, more than 170 sharks were killed as part of the cull. There has been strong opposition to the policy, including from one man who vandalised Premier Colin Barnetts office. These diseases can decimate large animal and human populations if not well handled. Those with undesirable traits are culled, allowing farmers to drive profitability. [1] Shark culling has been criticized by environmentalists, conservationists and animal welfare advocatesthey say killing sharks harms the marine ecosystem and is unethical. The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board (KZNSB) says, "Both types of equipment function by reducing shark numbers in the vicinity of protected beaches, thereby lowering the probability of encounters between sharks and people at those beaches." The culling of animals is also beneficial in helping to maintain the sustainability of the ecosystem. The Dorsal App claims to be Australia's largest shark alerts and reporting service. "Sharks keep oceans and reefs healthy," Banks said. Alerts from surf safeguards and lifeguards in case of danger/threat. As stated earlier, culling should be based on solid facts and a well-thought-out plan of action. Basically, the sharks are unable to move and this is fatal for many species. PROS: Statistics support the efficacy of drumlines in reducing shark attacks. She started writing about her passion for the environment when the world came to a stop in early 2020. [16] Humane Society International calls the nets a "knee-jerk reaction". Webbed Gloves Can Help Your Surfing. The RSPCA does not support killing sharks as a response to shark incidents involving humans. This took a lot of manpower to clean. They have been trialled in Western Australia. [32] It has been argued that killing sharks in the Great Barrier Reef is "vastly inconsistent with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's main objective, 'to provide for the long-term protection and conservation of the environment. "[43], In a 30-year period, more than 33,000 sharks have been killed in KwaZulu-Natal's shark-killing program. 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. Sharks are more use alive than dead This is a difficult time. During that period, about 114 sharks and other animals died. The state government decided to spray pesticides targeting those mosquitoes that bite humans at night. Dr Daniel Bucher from Southern Cross University told the ABC: "Great whites are a threatened species and the existing population is already low. CONS: No more swimming/surfing/kayaking etc. And what effect do they have on the marine environment? 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. Those in opposition argue on the lack of scientific evidence for the approachs efficiency and moral grounds. First introduced in the 1930s at a time when we didn't know much about biodiversity, shark behaviour or sharks' vital role in ocean ecosystems. We should always establish both the pros and cons of culling animals before imposing any culling measures on any species. 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". One of the solutions focused on the culling of four pests that were carriers of this disease; rats, sparrows, flies, and mosquitoes. [30] From 2017 to 2018, 218 sharks were killed, including 75 tiger sharks and 41 bull sharks;[19] at least 64 sharks were shot and killed during this period. But males cant lay eggs, and they also cant be sold for meat because of their small sizes. 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