WA shark cull: Drum lines dumped after EPA recommendations

Drum lines will not be deployed off WA beaches this summer after the state's Environmental Protection Authority advised against extending the Government's controversial catch and kill shark policy.

The regulator's chairman, Paul Vogel, said the available information and evidence did not provide the organisation with a high level of confidence.

Following a spate of fatal shark attacks in the state, in January the WA Government introduced a 13-week trial where baited drum lines were set off Perth and South West beaches.

During the trial, which cost the Government $1.3 million, 68 sharks were caught and shot, although none of them were great white sharks.

The catch-and-kill policy was widely opposed with hundreds attending community rallies and international marine scientists calling for it to be scrapped.

Premier Colin Barnett said the recommendation meant drum lines would not be in place off the WA coast this summer.

Dr Vogel said the EPA had been tasked with assessing the environmental impact of the strategy, not public safety.

"There remains a high degree of scientific uncertainty about the impacts on the viability of the south-western white shark population," he said.

"At this stage, the available information and evidence does not provide the EPA with a high level of confidence. In view of these uncertainties, the EPA has adopted a cautious approach by recommending against the proposal.

"The EPA can only make a judgment on the impact on the environment. The minister, in making his final decision, may take other matters into consideration."

See the original post:

WA shark cull: Drum lines dumped after EPA recommendations

Related Posts

Comments are closed.