1 Humpback Whale Caught Every 10 Days!
October 13, 2009
The 5th Humpback Caught in Gold Coast Shark Nets since September. Image Courtesy of www.goldcoast.com.au: Grahame Long/Sea World
Another Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) was caught off Burleigh in a Shark Net off the Gold Coast on October 13, 2009. Since September 2009, this is an average of 1 humpback whale caught every 10 days.
That’s 5 humpback whales caught in Gold Coast Shark Nets since early September.
The entangled Humpback Whale calf was accompanied by a number of mature Humpback whales who were clearly distressed, particularly the mother who was displaying thrashing motions.
As humpback whale populations increase these shark nets are clearly a major threat to the survival of individual species that get caught in the nets. There are no studies that follow the movements of whales once they have been released, lesions from the nets can get infected and cause the whales to die on their migration.
Humpback Whale Trapped in Gold Coast Shark Net 2009. Photographer: Grahame Long/Sea World
Come on Gold Coast residents, lets act now! Lets show Tony Ham, QLD Dept of Primary Industries and Fisheries Shark Control Manager, the Qld Premiere and the Minister for Environment that we do not need the shark nets to protect us at the beach. We believe SA, WA, VIC and NT employ better strategies to monitor beaches (aerial surveys) – there are no shark nets or baited drumlines in any of these states.
There should be a NO HARM and NO KILL policy to protect humans, we live with nature on this planet.
Send a letter to the govt, school kids make a poster and send it to the govt… we can make a difference.
Kirra Surfstock Festival Nov 8, 2009. We will be there and very happy to meet people who want to get involved to see the shark nets removed.
Sign petition right to show your support.
Once again it’s the fear factor and mass hysteria that takes the place of rational thought. Shark nets don’t even work, there are great holes in them and sharks also can swim around them at either end. It works on the psychology factor just to make the tourists believe they are safe. People have to realise that if they go into the water they are sharing that territory with other species, then make a responsible decision. There are always risks for every species that share this planet. People don’t seem to be concerned about crossing the road and yet they have a far greater chance of being killed by a human-driven vehicle than by a shark in the water. We always blame ‘the other’.