DAF Shark Control Program - Recommended Council Policy Position · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                              17 JUNE 2024


to the SCP, or the use of alternate technologies will only occur following this process.

COUNCIL’S CURRENT POSITION ON THE SHARK CONTROL PROGRAM
To date, Noosa Council supports the SCP under the Queensland Shark Management Plan through
the active participation in SharkSmart programs. Regarding scientific trials on alternative shark bite
mitigation technologies, the SCP Scientific Working Group remain the lead scientific advisory group
to the Queensland Government. DAF remains the lead agency and Council should accept and
support the State and the SCP Scientific Working Group regarding the suitability of shark bite
mitigation measures, in State managed waters adjacent to Noosa. Council will continue to support
SharkSmart community awareness programs and trials as appropriate.

NOOSA COUNCIL’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SHARK CONTROL PROGRAM
At this time, Council’s role in shark management under the Shark Control Program is limited to:
   1. Assisting DAF to educate the community to be SharkSmart, and
   2. Supporting DAF and SLSQ to undertake drone trials as required, including the issuing of
      permits
In 2022, Noosa Council, the NBRF and DAF launched the SurfSmart community awareness
program, to educate surfers and other ocean users on how to reduce the potential of shark
interactions in our local waters. Noosa Council will continue to work closely with DAF in future
SharkSmart community awareness programs under the Queensland Shark Management Plan.

Final evaluation of the SharkSmart drone trial (including Noosa) will be completed by mid-2024 to
inform the end of Management Plan review. The final evaluation of all trials will include an
assessment of cost-effectiveness and suitability to local Queensland conditions. The end of
Management Plan review will commence in late 2024 and will provide advice to government, in
consultation with the SCP Scientific Working Group, on future options for the Program from July
2025 onwards. Council will pursue all opportunities to provide input and feedback into this process.

COUNCIL’S SHARK MANAGEMENT OBLIGATIONS OUTSIDE OF THE DAF SCP
Council should also consider it's responsibility to mitigate shark bite risks to the community through
the following methods, outside of the SCP;

   1. Marine animal stranding response
Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, Noosa Council is solely responsible for the management
of marine animal carcasses that may wash ashore on Council managed beaches. In some situations,
Council may seek endorsement form the State and Commonwealth to intercept carcasses floating
in nearshore waters (this occurred in July 2023, with a carcass tracking towards Noosa Main Beach
intercepted by an ES contractor). It is well documented that whale carcasses in our local waters are
nearly always accompanied by large numbers of sharks, mainly bull, tiger and white sharks. As a
result, Council has an important role to play in human shark bite mitigation during marine animal
stranding response. Therefore, limited ES staff actively participate in SEQ regional marine stranding
response training alongside DAF, Marine Parks (QPWS) and adjacent Council’s. However, Noosa
Council is not adequately resourced with trained staff, equipment and materials to respond to a
traditional stranding event, whereby contractor availability, sea conditions or carcass condition does
not allow for towing and offshore disposal. Approximately 73 cetacean (whale) strandings occurred
from K’Gari to Tweed Heads during 2023 alone, 37 of these stranding where humpback whales
(Marine Parks 2023). It should be noted that all live strandings remain a responsibility of the Sate
(under Council support), prior to potential euthanasia, in which Council then becomes responsible
for carcass management (chemical euthanasia of animals requires landfill disposal).

   2. Bull shark risks within Council managed canal systems