As discussed in our May update, we asked a Question on Notice of the Minister for Primary Industries seeking clarification on:

  • when the trial decision-making framework to assess alternative shark mitigation technologies and strategies will be delivered
  • what criteria will be used to determine whether alternatives can be assessed as effective
  • whether whale deterrent technologies will be considered or deployed in Noosa during this migration season

The Minister has since provided the following response:

The KPMG Shark Control Program Evaluation Report provided advice and recommendations to the Queensland Government. Any recommendation or measure that prioritises human safety first, above all other factors, has been adopted in the Shark Management Plan 2025 to 2029 in line with the Queensland Government’s priority to put human safety above all other factors.

The Shark Management Plan 2025 to 2029 and increased investment of an additional $88.2 million into the Program represents historic change, with the single biggest improvement and strengthening of the Program since it started in 1962.

Approximately 60 per cent of the additional funding announced for the Program is for research, trials of new technology, education, and the SharkSmart drone program.

The Plan included a commitment to review the research strategy framework in the 2025-26 financial year. This work has progressed and is preparing to be made publicly available, we remain on track to deliver as per our commitment.

Further, the Shark Mitigation Alternatives Framework, currently in development, is in consultation with the Shark Control Program Scientific Working Group. This framework includes the development of the systematic identification, trial and assessment of new technologies and management practices. This initiative is expected to be delivered in the near future.

Acoustic whale alarms have been deployed on all shark nets used in the Shark Control Program ahead of the whale migration period which assists in the unlikely event non-target species are captured, noting there has not been a whale fatality since 2018. A trial of modified acoustic alarms is in development and will be trialled for a five-week period on selected shark nets, including at Noosa, during the southern whale migration from September to October 2026.

It is positive to receive confirmation that approximately 60 per cent of the additional funding allocated to the Shark Control Program is directed towards research, trials of new technologies, education and the SharkSmart drone program. We also welcome confirmation that modified acoustic whale alarms will be trialled on shark nets at Noosa during the southern whale migration period from September to October 2026.

We have additionally received confirmation that signage will be installed for the southern whale migration season to assist members of the public with correctly reporting whale entanglements in shark control equipment.

While these measures are welcome, we continue to advocate for the accelerated assessment and trial of alternative shark mitigation technologies, including non-lethal measures that may reduce interactions between marine wildlife and shark control equipment. We also continue to support the identification and implementation of suitable alternatives to shark nets during whale migration periods.

We will provide a further update once the Shark Mitigation Alternatives Framework and research strategy framework are publicly released.

Further information

For previous Shark Control Program updates, visit: www.sandybolton.com/?s=shark

To contact the Minister for Primary Industries regarding the Shark Control Program, email: primaryindustries@ministerial.qld.gov.au

Please copy our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive.