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. <\/p>\n
The regulator's chairman, Paul Vogel, said the available information and evidence did not provide the organisation with a high level of confidence. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
During the trial, which cost the Government $1.3 million, 68 sharks were caught and shot, although none of them were great white sharks. <\/p>\n
The catch-and-kill policy was widely opposed with hundreds attending community rallies and international marine scientists calling for it to be scrapped. <\/p>\n
Premier Colin Barnett said the recommendation meant drum lines would not be in place off the WA coast this summer. <\/p>\n
Dr Vogel said the EPA had been tasked with assessing the environmental impact of the strategy, not public safety. <\/p>\n
\"There remains a high degree of scientific uncertainty about the impacts on the viability of the south-western white shark population,\" he said. <\/p>\n
\"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. <\/p>\n
\"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.\" <\/p>\n
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WA shark cull: Drum lines dumped after EPA recommendations<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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. Continue reading