Investigation and trialing of alternative shark controls measures continues, with the most recent being research delivered by Flinders University into the effectiveness of commercially available personal electric shark deterrents on tiger sharks, for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The full report is available at www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/queensland-shark-control-program/resource/74f65e56-aa23-4ab6-b5a3-c3db5fc8bff5

In summary:

  • The Ocean Guardian Freedom+ Surf and Freedom7 were chosen as they have previously been shown to be the most effective against white sharks and bull sharks.
  • The research tested the effect on tiger shark behaviour in response to a baited experimental device, as it is not ethical to conduct the research with human participants.
  • Testing was conducted at Saunders Reef (Far North Queensland) and Norfolk Island.
  • The devices significantly reduced the number of bites by tiger sharks by up to 70 per cent, but sharks were not deterred 100 per cent of the time.
  • In previous studies, the number of bites by bull sharks was reduced by 38 per cent and for white sharks by 6-87 per cent, depending on the device tested and the methodology used.
  • The Western Australian Government offers a rebate of $200 to residents of that state who purchase an approved personal shark deterrent device.
  • The department is not proposing a similar rebate scheme for Queensland for the following reasons:
    • the SharkSmart education program encourages people to take personal responsibility for their safety and adopt SharkSmart behaviours to reduce risk
    • the Queensland Government does not subsidise other personal safety products, even if they are mandatory e.g. bicycle helmets.
    • the department is aware of anecdotal reports of residents of other states engaging Western Australian residents to claim the rebate on their behalf.
  • Instead, the planned approach is to encourage high-risk user groups to use a scientifically tested electronic deterrent device.
  • The Cardno review of alternative approaches report “Queensland Shark Control Program Review of Alternative Approaches”, available on the department’s website, identified that the majority of shark deterrent devices (e.g. chemical, visual, magnetic) have not been subject to independent scientific assessment.

Our advocacy for alternative shark control measures is continuing, and to assist, we have written to the Mayor for Noosa Council’s official position regarding our beaches, as whilst shark control measures are a State Government responsibility, beach management is for local councils, who need to approve any initiatives such as SharkSmart Drone Trials, with the 1st trial rejected by Noosa Council in 2020, and the 2nd trial currently operating at Noosa Main Beach.   More information on this at www.sandybolton.com/shark-nets-and-control-measures-update-26-july-2021

We will continue to update as more information becomes available and we have received a response from Noosa Council to our request.

Further information

To contact the QLD Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, email agriculture@ministerial.qld.gov.au and copy our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward us any response you receive.

To contact the Noosa Council Mayor and Councilors, please find their information at www.noosa.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/927/contact-list-councillors

For our previous Noosa 360 updates on this, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Shark