[41] Jonathan Clark of the Sea Shepherd group said culling sharks would not make swimmers safer. CONS: Choice Magazine rated a range of personal shark repellent devices in January 2016 and said: "If fear of a shark attack is stopping you from entering the water, then forking out for a personal shark deterrent may provide some peace of mind. If another way of controlling animal populations is not developed, very soon, many species might be wiped off the face of the earth. "[15], Jane Williamson, an associate professor in marine ecology at Macquarie University, says "There is no scientific support for the concept that culling sharks in a particular area will lead to a decrease in shark attacks and increase ocean safety. Over the span of 23 years, 1,589 replacement heifers were exposed to bulls. Given the legal status sharks enjoy, the benefits to humans would have to be especially high to justify culling as an ethical option. [9][8] The Queensland Government states that the purpose of the program is to "reduce the possibility of shark attacks on humans in coastal waters of the state adjacent to popular coastal beaches used for bathing" and "is committed to maintaining this important safety initiative". This means they have to be culled. Follow the action from the third Test between India and Australia in Delhi in our live blog, Former government services minister Stuart Robert is being questioned at theRobodebt inquiry. Is the culling of animals, right? In fact, when shark culling was carried out in Hawaii, between 1959 to 1976, over 4,500 sharks were killed and yet there was no significant decrease in the number of shark bites recorded. As stated earlier, culling should be based on solid facts and a well-thought-out plan of action. They have been trialled in Western Australia. Sharks regulate the behaviour of prey species, and prevent them from over-grazing vital habitats. [49] The nets were found to be detrimental to the environment700 non-target species were killed. 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. It is estimated that up to 100 million sharks are caught globally each year. More about how we earn money as an affiliate. This helps to improve the overall genetic quality of the herd. [56] In November 2018, more than 7,000 Western Australians signed a petition demanding that the planned "SMART" drum line trial be abandoned. The culling of animals also prevents the spread of diseases that would destroy a particular species gene pool. Sharks hold a economic and cultural significance to many communities. Top on this list of pros and cons of culling animals are the economic benefits from culling. Disease reduction deserves mention on the pros and cons of culling animals. In Hawaii, sharks were culled during the 1960s and '70s with no reduction in bites; recent tagging research implicates habitat preference as the primary driver of shark density, with new sharks moving into preferred areas upon the elimination of other sharks. The government responded by using drum lines to cull great whites, which were responsible for the deaths. The sharks' rights are enshrined in our law. Culling offers many potential benefits, as highlighted below. Culling is the process of selective elimination of animals based on traits or factors such as health, appearance, and sex. There are several creatures, as small as microscopic infectious viruses to as big as hippopotamuses, that had befallen death on our loved one. Shark culling is ineffective and the shark responsible for the attacks is not always among the ones killed. [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. Scientists have explained that when the older dominant adults are culled, younger animals move in from the surrounding areas to replace the adults. The impassioned statement for the mass shark cull on Reunion Island coming from such an environmental enthusiast, well-known for clothing brand. Last but not least, on our list of pros and cons of culling animals is the role culling plays in the extinction of endangered animals. Lets start with the fact that were protecting different animal species; why shouldnt we protect sharks? This is evident in the poultry industry, where almost half of the chickens that hatch are usually male. However, there are times when the culling of animals is driven by public hysteria and arbitrary reasons. What It Means For Sharks & People. One such shark culling program, billed as a shark control program, in Hawaii which operated between 1959 and 1976 resulted in killing 4,668 sharks over an 18-year period. The White-tailed deer have become a threat to settlement in many suburbs across the US because they do not have natural predators. There has been some hesitancy by people who were keen to put in tenders and some of them have pulled back, he said. The unsuccessful trial in Lennox Head resulted in debris from the half-built barriers polluting the area and the estimated cost of the unsuccessful trial was $2.6 million. [21] The New South Wales government prohibits people from rescuing entangled animalsthis prohibition has been called "heartless and cruel". SMART drum lines will send a realtime alert that notifies authorities that a shark (or other large marine life) has taken the bait is and is hooked on the line attached to the SMART drum line. But males cant lay eggs, and they also cant be sold for meat because of their small sizes. Consuming sharks will increase the level of mercury you ingest which will in turn increase your risk of neurological disorders, autism, infertility, Coronary heart disease or even death. Predators as Prey: Why Healthy Oceans Need Sharks, , highlights why we need to protect sharks. We need to avoid shark culls and give them enough time to survive, grow, and reproduce. [36] Queensland Fisheries Minister John McVeigh has described the longevity of the netting and drum line program as being "a good indicator that it had the support of most Queenslanders". Professor Colin Buxton of the University of Tasmania told the ABC: "the use of shark nets and drum lines is a proven way of reducing shark attack, however the public need to understand and acknowledge that this works by killing sharks". With about 90% of the worlds sharks and other large predatory fish wiped out through overfishing and culling, prey such as sea turtles and crabs have flourished. Decent Essays. It has been said that these methods of shark control have trapped over 5,000 marine turtles, and killed hundreds of dolphins, whales, rays, and other marine animals. The nets are submerged near high-population areas and are designed to trap, entangle, and kill the shark. Not only do the methods trap and harm other marine animals, but by removing large numbers of major predators, they create a knock-on effect that impacts all marine life. What do the Public Think About Culling Sharks? Sharks captured using SMART drumlines are tagged and released into the wild where they can be studies further. Cant we co-exist peacefully using appropriate measures that keep us safe and sharks alive? Natalie Banks, testified the statement saying that the use of shark hooks has never proven to work. 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". For example, between 1967 and 1994, South Africa culled a total of 14,562 elephants. Often inhumanely culled for their notorious, Sharks keep our oceans and reefs healthy, Other research suggests killing sharks actually, published by a team of researchers from Deakin University, University of Technology, Sydney, Griffith University, and Utah State University in "Nature Climate Change,"warns that the declining population of top ocean predators, i.e. PROS: Ability to sight sharks from the air and potentially give warning to water-goers through the use of sirens or signals. 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. In addition, culling disturbs marine ecosystems and affects protected and vulnerable species including the targeted great white shark and non-target species such as . Sea Shepherd is calling on the Western Australian Government to do the following: - To put an immediate end to this proposal of increasing shark takes by the commercial fishing sector or culling sharks as it . Their population, especially in the wild, is dwindling at a very fast pace. As of May, 2021, the effectiveness of SMART drumlines were in question, adding more fuel to the controversial topic of shark culling. 588 Words; The predatory role of sharks is also significant for the worlds economy. Among the advocates was the world-renowned surf champion and climate activist, Kelly Slater. Shark Culling Facts. Drumlines are marine traps designed to capture sharks and many of them are used for shark culling. These diseases are highly infectious and fatal for both animals and humans. [54] This "imminent threat" policy was criticized by Senator Rachel Siewert for killing endangered sharks. For example, shark populations may take longer to recover after culls. Surfer Mick Fanning changed the colour of his board from yellow to dark blue after hearing sharks were attracted to lightly coloured, shiny things. A survey of more than 1,800 people found significant similarities in how different groups of . Mr Barnett says commercial fishermen are understandably wary. You will not find paid product promotions or sponsored content on this site. Without this, it is estimated that the number of elephants would have increased to 80,000 by 2020, leading to mass starvation of both the elephants and other animals. This helps to strengthen the gene pool of animals because only the fittest animals are allowed to survive. "Shark culling is a relic of the past. Just as we cannot scare our kids that they cannot go in the water or theyll get chopped in half, we dont have control over the oceans; thats their home. About half of the shark species caught in Queensland's nets and drumlines pose very little risk to humans. 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. 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. PROS: Swimmers and surfers can be warned if a shark is detected close to shore. Additionally, the methods used in shark culling also kill turtles, dolphin and other unintended marine life. The breeder takes all things into consideration when envisioning their ideal for the breed or goal of their breeding program. Wildlife biologists in Tasmania wanted to reduce the population of feral cats. [78], In a program in Recife, Brazil, sharks were captured and moved 8 kilometers away from local beaches (though, the program did result in the deaths of about 23% of animals caught on the drum lines, including 114 sharks between 2007 and 2011). Physical barriers in dangerous or crowded spots. 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. That list can include any act that further endangers already threatened species, or adversely affects two or more listed threatened species. After all, 80 is an incredibly low number when you consider how many people surf, swim, and ride jet skis and boats every single year. "[75], George H. Burgess, the former[76] director of the International Shark Attack File, "describes [shark] culling as a form of revenge, satisfying a public demand for blood and little else";[77] he said shark culling is a "retro-type move reminiscent of what people would have done in the 1940s and 50s, back when we didn't have an ecological conscience and before we knew the consequences of our actions. Here, culling is done based on factors affecting cow performance, such as milk production, reproductive status, and diseases. The RSPCA does not support killing sharks as a response to shark incidents involving humans. Add to that the fact that shark nets can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and its easy to see why people are so critical of shark culling, particularly the aggressive programs used in New South Wales and Western Australia. The Canadian seal hunt is another example. According to the KZNSB, "from 1940 until most of those beaches were first netted in the 1960s, there were 16 fatal attacks and 11 resulting in serious injury. Those with undesirable traits are culled, allowing farmers to drive profitability. They are used throughout Western Australia where they are typically fixed at a depth of about 6 meters and run just under 200 meters long. Pros Cons Sharks are an important source of tourism across Australia. PROS: An electrical repellent known as the 'shark shield' has been independently shown to be effective at deterring sharks from biting, most of the time. The decision was condemned by the environmentalist, conservationist, and native Australians alike, with. These measures are dangerous to other sea creatures like rays, turtles, dolphins, and small, harmless sharks, which get caught up in the traps. Many countries are also reaping billions of dollars from reef . [12][42] The region's shark attack statistics primarily reflect the effectiveness of netting, as drum lines were only introduced recently, following their successful use for over 40 years in Queensland, Australia. But scientists argue that while such hunts may quench the public's desire for vengeance after a [shark] attack, they do little to reduce the likelihood of another one. Before we take a closer look at shark culling, lets address the prevalence of shark attacks. "[35], About 360 baited drum lines have been placed off the coast of Queensland, including 78 along the Sunshine Coast, 54 near Townsville, 27 near Mackay and 38 near Cairns. Depending on government policy, dangerous sharks can be euthanased or transported out to sea, while other non-target marine life can be released. 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. In 1949, diseases were ravaging and killing hundreds of Chinese. sharks, causes a . The use of nets and baited drum lines is an outdated and ineffective approach against shark attacks. [2][3][4][5] Conservationists say killing sharks on drum lines harms the marine ecosystem. Here is a trailer of Shark Beach featuring Chris Hemsworth diving with sharks in Australia. Achieving a Sustainable Population The culling of animals is also beneficial in helping to maintain the sustainability of the ecosystem. The impassioned statement for the deaths here is a trailer of shark hooks has never proven work. Also kill turtles, dolphin and other unintended marine life and humans near high-population areas and designed! 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