Sharon Burden remembers her 21-year-old son Kyle who died in a shark attack in 2011. Photo: Picture: Richard Hatherly/Perthnow.com.au
In the wake of West Australia Government’s new shark culling laws, the mother of a shark attack victim is calling for a legal challenge to the newly implemented policies.
WA water’s will be patrolled by professional shark hunters, who are licensed to kill any shark larger than 10 feet spotted in the “kill zones” designated by the policy. These zones cover large parts of the metropolitan and southwest coastline.
Kyle Burden was killed by a Great White shark in 2011 while body boarding at Bunker Bay. In a letter to the West Australian, his mother, Sharon Burden, wrote, “I would like to see a legal challenge that requires the Barnett Government to provide evidence to support their decision.”
WA Premier Colin Barnett unveiled the culling policy this week amid speculation that it was simply a reassurance measure. After announcing the shark policy, which includes baited drum lines, Premier Colin Barnett said that the changes would be significant and some people would be critical, but the public wanted more action.
“I think we would all benefit from an independent forum that allows us to hear the facts without the politics,” said Burden.
