^^^^ You've been reading too many of your own posts JB
You're mistaking a vocal minority for a majority.
Personally I don't have a strong opinion either way about the drum lining.
I do however strongly object to a relatively small group of very vocal individuals dictating what actions the state will take on this issue.
I kite and surf all over WA and have done so alone at some dodgy locations. I accept the risk. JB, the notion that a shark shield is going to stop a great white in full flight is laughable.
JB not for or against...as I said at the start.
Agree governments should be driven (and generally are, though maybe some don't see it that way or perhaps sometimes it's not executed that way) to spend tax $ wisely, you should see the money poured into other safety issues by both government and private industry then......
You don't know my opinion so how can you say numbers are against me?????
free divers drowning statistically does not look at the same risk or the mitigation being used so statistically not comparable or useful, that was my point about car accidents also, generally produced stats don't factor the risk being taken or the migitation in place and as a result either under or overstate the risk involved.......
I think my opinion is probably best stated in similar terms to PR above..... not to say I'm not occasionally freaked by having to body drag for my board or being out on my own surfing (and there are places that at certain times of the year I DO NOT go as a result) but really I'm not so passionate to be out there fighting either side (frankly both of which I believe are generally poorly informed or have a terribly formed emotional argument), and yes I am saying that I don't feel informed well enough to have an opinion that should drive policy for the general public, hence I'm not out there fighting either side, and on this one I don't wish to become that well informed (it's not my profession).
Yes I like the idea of living, surfing and kiting till I'm too old to do so, if possible all while feeling safe (to an extent)....
What I'm not convinced of is that people involved in the forefront of the arguments know as much as they claim.
There are people out catching sharks (and most other fish also) both professionally and recreationally every single day why the uproar about a program that I would be surprised netted (no pun intended) out that many catches, I'm sure if the science was there to support it being a threat to the species that it would not have been allowed federally either here or on the east coast (i.e. I doubt very much....show us if you have anything....this would have been allowed through with no due diligence or professional comment).
I guess I'm saying lets see how a year of it goes and assess then.....until then this discussion really is going nowhere except downhill as it's at the point now where sides are polarised and the rest are not participating due to the nature of the conversation......
best to get out of the water when the trawlers are sorting. the dolphin has some teeth rakes on him and nearly gets nipped at 0:30
How do they get most of their research info if they haven't been able to fish or hunt them for such a long period of time.catching a dozen or so mite help with researching instead of this bloke reckons this and this bloke said that.
Read this:
www.theaustralian.com.au/nocookies?a=A.flavipes
Finally an article that is objective and contains facts and relative statistics as opposed to tabloid driven hysteria.
I was going to post the same link that Latestarter posted above a few hours ago because I found it an interesting read, I had typed out the spiel below but was then distracted and by the time I got back to my pc the link was already posted.
I'm pretty much a fence sitter on this one, whilst I would be prepared to take the risk and keep surfing, snorkelling and kiting as I have done all of my life with out the drum lines because I think the chances of attack are minimal, I do think that the GW numbers (and so risks of attack) are rising so I am not opposed to taking out a few that are hanging around close to populated areas.
I have heard all of the arguments, more people in the water, social media spreading the word of sightings etc.
However I have also talked to crayfishermen with years of experience that all tell me they are seeing more and more sharks in recent years.
My belief is that the increased whale numbers since they have been protected is the main reason there is way more sharks along the WA coast (particularly around October/November when the whales and calves are making there way back down the coast)
I am not really impressed that there will be baits set 1 km off the shore along the metro area because I often do downwinders on my SUP and at times would be close to that far out.
What I can't believe is the uproar for the anti cull brigade over the killing of a few sharks in WA when it has been going on for years on the East Coast and all around the country other species of fish (and crocodiles etc) are killed everyday, what makes the sharks so much more special than any other species?
Oh that's right it is the apex predator, so do the anti cull folks want us to save the GW's but go on killing every other fish until there is only sharks left?