this is continued form the kitesurfing forum post title shark attack at gracetown
ive started this post here cause it started to get off topic form the nature of the other forum
which to me was more about condolences and sympathy and show of support to the family and friends of the man fataly wounded in the attack not a discussion about sharks. SO!!!! im sure we can have a normal discussion about this topic
firstly - my condolences to the family and friends of Chris Boyd
secondly - if u love the water like millions of Australians then u should respect the water n all the fish and mammals it contains. respect the fact that when u go into the water u are in their environment no matter where u are in Australia (the best country) also u should respect the fact that when u enter the water be it, the ocean, beach or river system, there are creatures in there that can kill you, like sharks, stingers (jellyfish), crocs etc
thirdly - YES something should be done about. if you go on a cull and kill off the sharks in that area, other sharks from other areas are going to move in and take over that territory. their main food, like fish, seals, other sharks etc are in decline, but at the same time sharks numbers are increasing, which means shark hunting territory is decreasing. just want to point out that humans are NOT apart of a sharks diet.
SO - what I thinks needs to be done is take a accurate numbers of sharks and compare it to the number of natural prey that the sharks feed on and work out a way to balance it out. in other words increase the fish stocks (main diet of many sharks) and decrease shark numbers in a way that doesn't put the particular shark species on the endangered list. that doesn't mean let every tom, dick n harry go on a shark killing rampage for the fun of it.
ALSO - education - educate people on shark behaviour n movements. let people know what times of the year are sharks have more of a presence in certain areas and when they don't. this info can be put on a sign on a beach letting people know this is when sharks are around n when their not, what food they eat and behavioural movements. ie big school of fish close to shore, probably going to attract sharks don't go swimming near it. things like that. more investment and research into shark deterrent technology to help move them from a certain area.
Just a thought if sharks main food source is in decline (which is undisputed) would not the the shark numbers also decline.
I mean if we put 10 humans in a box and take away thier main food source don't their numbers decline?
I think its actually an indicator that we are over fishing the oceans removeing the main food source and the sharks are just trying to stay alive by moving closer to shore and tasting things they would not normally eat.
good thoughts red
just a point on the above. I don't think whites have territory.. they roam vast distances constantly eating whatever takes their fancy as they go. they do follow certain currents or whale migrations, but they don't just hang out. this is why it's essentially impossible for fisheries to kill sharks that attack. by the time a response is mounted, the shark is probably hundreds of kms away.
I reckon fishing for whites could be a good tourist attraction. fisheries could grant a limited number of commercial licenses and this would probably help to reduce numbers over time without impacting to heavily on shark numbers..
just my opinion. I'm sure other will disagree.
In reference to the White situation in West Oz, their food source is not in decline, far from it. There's more sealions and seals along our coast than there has been for a very long time, the joint's a friggen smorgasbord for Mr White now.
The sad part for me is everyone gets upset for a few weeks then it drops of the radar. LAST NOVEMBER I HAD A QUESTION TABLED IN PARLIAMENT ABOUT SHARK TAGGING AFTER IT WAS IGNORED BY EVERYONE.
To give you some idea i approached
Fisheries, Water police, Fisheries minister at the time Moore, Buswell, Barnett, My local member, all the opposition members including their leader form Rockingham (sorry have forgotten names), Channel 7, 9, 10 and the ABC. The West Australian, SLSWA, South Australian Fisheries (these were the only supportive help. I also spoke with the Tag manufactures for the shark Tags. Eventually the Greens in Freo looked into it but passed it onto the greens member based in Morley. Now that was Put into the State Government hansard last November and it has still never been brought to the floor
Wait till i start to hit the phones again on Monday
They again talked on the news last night saying they will put in more Receivers in the Southwest. What is the point if they don't actually then tag any Great Whites
It might be worth reducing the human population that would solve many problems.
As surfing and water sports increases in population over the years we will see more mistaken attacks.
The seal population has bounced back after humans nearly wiped them out.
The whale population is also bouncing back.
The blue fin tuna still circumnavigate OZ every year.
The tourist cage diving industry also offers a good healthy feed.
I believe it's not a change of behaviour and not lack of food that causes the attacks.
it's caused by increased opportunity as more humans enter the water.
isn't SHARK just another word for SURFER, bro? badly spelt supper
shark and chips please, on land............
or
surfer and seaweed in the ocean............
Very rarely a shark will actually eat a human it's mostly mistaken identity most deaths are related to loss of blood and the body's are most of the time recovered.
Humans create far more deaths than sharks it's a fact.
The only answer to this problem is education and research.
In Qld where crocodiles live there are signs posted with warnings. We are educated not to swim in these rivers that contain crocodile habitats.
Yep if research proves that the area is a shark hot spot then enter at your own risk.
That is the whole purpose of the shark tagging program.
Unfortunately our governments fail to fund such program's.
If you go into the woods in Canada you are warned that there are Bears living there so you enter at your own risk just the same as crocodiles in the rivers of Australia.
What about shark shields on surf boards why don't we make them compulsory just like seat belts in motor cars?
Its a shame this post gets run 3 -4 times a year now after an attack. As i have said before we rape the ocean of snapper squid crays crabs ect ect and no one cares yet we protect the only thing that poses a massive threat to us. Japs even kills whales and others club seals and dolphins. Its a shame it will take a corby case to swing peoples views. (pretty white women or young child taken.) and there is no scientific evidence to suggest there is a increase in numbers??? Observation is one type of scientific evidence. And it seems there are heaps more. I got chased in at wedge the other week.
Start culling please - this is out of control....Problem solved - talk to any commercial fisherman in Perth.
If you dont work in and on the water
If you spend less than say 10 to 20 hours a week in and on the water
If you carnt swim and or dont swim and are green
Shut the fk up
Cull every shark that attacks a human full fken stop especially rouge man eating Great Whites
The only truely qualified person in Australia ive herd speak on the WA shark attacks was VIC HISLOP he would now be just laughing at you all.
Yes wipe out every living creature that harms us including ourselves! We are immortal.
The problem with culling the sharks is that the population of this species is unknown so it's unsure on what bag limit should be taken.and as you may know it's a big ocean and this species keeps on the move.
If it is one rouge shark it would be hard to pin point find and catch unless it was done on the day while it was in the area using oil and chum methods.
So catching and killing is not a real easy answer to the problem that's why I stated education and research would be a better option first.
Don't need a cull - just need to lift the protection on whites and put 'catch/bag' limits on them like other sharks. They will be targeted by fishermen wanting the thrill and numbers will decrease to align with the decrease of other marine life...sad but fair imo.