DAF Shark Control Program - Recommended Council Policy Position · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                             17 JUNE 2024


Further information on Council’s responsibilities across these two related areas have been provided
within this Report.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council;

   A. Note the report by Environmental Services to the General Committee Meeting dated 17th
      June 2024, regarding a recommended Council policy position on the DAF Shark Control
      Program.
   B. Adopt the following policy position that:
           1. Council continues to support the DAF Shark Control Program (SCP) under the
              Queensland Shark Management Plan, with the vision of the SCP transitioning to
              lower by-catch potential alternatives in waters adjacent to the Noosa LGA; and
           2. Council to work alongside DAF to explore further opportunities to actively support
              SharkSmart educational programs, and alternative bite mitigation trials where
              appropriate.
   C. Note Council’s other shark management responsibilities including;
           1. Marine animal stranding response, noting this role requires resourcing for equipment,
              materials and staff training and the use of contractors to enable Council to effectively
              respond to stranding events; and
           2. Consideration of signage investigation relating to dangerous marine animal
              warnings across Council managed canal systems only (Noosa Waters).


REPORT
ISSUES:
Leading up to the whale migration season in SEQ waters (May to September), community concerns
are often reignited over the potential for marine mammal entanglements in shark control equipment
off the northern (Noosa) Sunshine Coast nearshore waters. Some individuals and community groups
have been actively campaigning for the removal of nets, and or drumlines for several years. Contrary,
ocean users including tourism operators and members of the surfing community often demonstrate
elevated concerns over the risks of shark attacks, particularly during periods of rain and high runoff
(bull sharks) and during cooler months (when white sharks are more common in Sunshine Coast
waters). Elevated shark risks concerns also occur during marine animal stranding events (July 2023
– whale carcass intercepted by Council 1nm off Granite Bay). To date, Council has not had a policy
position on the DAF SCP, and therefore is unable to provide guidance to the general community on
the matter. However as previously discussed, Noosa Council has actively supported SharkSmart
community awareness programs alongside DAF over the past two years and continues to support
the state managed SCP.

BACKGROUND (SCP)
Queensland’s Shark Control Program started in 1962, following a number of fatal shark bites across
the State. Shark control measures used by DAF in waters adjacent to the Noosa LGA may include
a combination of:
   •   nets and drumlines
   •   drone surveys
   •   SharkSmart community awareness programs
   •   Research and trials on alternative shark bite mitigation technologies (including drone trials).