Culling a tagged shark “goes against everything we stand for,” says Fox. “It’s a complete waste of resources and time.” Photo: Shutterstock
Western Australia’s controversial catch-and-kill policy for large sharks has been the center of much criticism. Among the many that are outraged with the policy are shark researchers. So outraged, in fact, that they are considering withholding their data from the government.
After it was revealed that the government used tracking data from a tagged to attempt to kill a white shark near Warnbro sound last December, shark scientists from the Fox Shark Research Foundation are voicing their disapproval. Andrew Fox told the Guardian that using their data to cull a tagged shark “goes against everything we stand for. It’s a complete waste of resources and time.”
Although the shark in question escaped to deeper water, scientists are saying that the use of the data to order a kill sets a dangerous precedent. “They are now using the science to force these detections and qualify for a kill order,” said Australian shark activist Blair Ranford to the Guardian.
The data Andrew Fox and his researchers collect follows the migratory patterns of sharks using electronic tags. Each year, they travel thousands of miles looking for food. According to the renewed “serious threat” policy, any bull, white, or tiger shark that comes within one mile of shore can be killed. The shark in Warnbro Sound, which is just south of Perth, was likely feeding on snapper that use the area to spawn every year. It was detected 253 times in a span of two months. “High risk is one of the criteria used to assess a shark posing a serious threat to public safety,” said Bruno Mezzatesta, the executive director of regional services at Fisheries. “Assessing high risk includes a range of considerations, such as proximity to shore and proximity to frequently used beaches.” Critics, though, disagree with the decision, saying there was no evidence that the shark posed a threat to beachgoers.
Western Australia’s early warning network uses tags placed on sharks in other states. Sharks commonly travel thousands of miles each year, going where the food goes and returning to feeding grounds. If Fox and other scientists decide to cover up their data, Western Australia’s shark network will be effectively blindfolded.
