How does killing sharks affect the ecosystem? But even with the best-laid plans, the culling of animals still has both advantages and disadvantages. . First introduced in the 1930s at a time when we didn't know much about biodiversity, shark behaviour or sharks' vital role in ocean ecosystems. Miscellaneous Shark culling is ludicrous, you have more of a chance dying from a coconut falling on you than a shark attack, . These large species of animals have low reproduction rates and take very long to mature. Great Whites are an endangered species and therefore enjoy legal protection. [21] The New South Wales government prohibits people from rescuing entangled animalsthis prohibition has been called "heartless and cruel". [10], Culling compared to bycatch from commercial fishing. In addition, culling disturbs marine ecosystems and affects protected and vulnerable species including the targeted great white shark and non-target species such as . The ethics of this practice is a major concern when it comes to the pros and cons of culling animals. They are used throughout Western Australia where they are typically fixed at a depth of about 6 meters and run just under 200 meters long. Sharks: they're some of the most majestic and wondrous animals in the ocean. Read More. The Canadian seal hunt is another example. Speaking of numbers for the, 962 till 2018, Queensland authorities have killed. Culling is the process of selective elimination of animals based on traits or factors such as health, appearance, and sex. Sharks have existed for over 450 million years, and there's a reason for that. . Legal shark culling is mainly practiced in four locations: New South Wales (Australia), Queensland (Australia), KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), and Reunion Waters (France). 588 Words; "[31], Shark nets and drum lines are utilised to kill sharks in a "shark control" program in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa[1][12][42] which has been occurring in KwaZulu-Natal since the 1950s. The data is bounced to a satellite and an alert is sent to lifeguards and coastal authorities through a mobile phone app. [1] Shark culling has been criticized by environmentalists, conservationists and animal welfare advocatesthey say killing sharks harms the marine ecosystem and is unethical. Most shark nets are deployed in Western Australia, where shark populations are vast and shark attacks are relatively common when compared to other areas. Pros Cons Sharks are an important source of tourism across Australia. Shark culling and shark hunts, as an acceptable. Shark culling certainly kills plenty of sharks. But males cant lay eggs, and they also cant be sold for meat because of their small sizes. East Coast vs West Coast Surfing: Which Is Better? The same was observed in ferrets on a British island. Of these animals, 7 were dolphins, 7 were green sea turtles, and 10 were grey nurse sharks, which are critically endangered. [18] Between 1950 and 2008, 352 tiger sharks and 577 great white sharks were killed in the nets in New South Wales. It is a disservice to the public. They were first installed in 1935. and other bivalves. The Grom Life is an independent publisher. Shark exclusion nets and drumlines or traps are used to lure, entangle and kill sharks and other animals that pass near them. [1], Drum lines have been criticized for being environmentally destructive and speciesist, and have sparked public demonstrations and vocal opposition, particularly from environmentalists, animal welfare advocates and ocean activists. [14][48], Shark nets were installed in Dunedin, New Zealand for roughly 40 years, and were removed in 2011. [12] Although shark species such as the great white shark are protected in South Africa, the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board is allowed to kill these sharks (an exception was made for them). Avoid surfing at dusk, or alone, or in the most dangerous spotswithmurky water. Professor Colin Buxton of the University of Tasmania told the ABC: "the use of shark nets and drum lines is a proven way of reducing shark attack, however the public need to understand and acknowledge that this works by killing sharks". [17][11] The current net program in New South Wales has been described as being "extremely destructive" to marine life, including sharks. Lets start with the fact that were protecting different animal species; why shouldnt we protect sharks? If these animals are left unchecked, they will completely alter or destroy the habitat they live in. About half of the shark species caught in Queensland's nets and drumlines pose very little risk to humans. 2. However, there are some people who think otherwise. The Dorsal App claims to be Australia's largest shark alerts and reporting service. There also economic benefits of culling domestic animals, especially in commercial farming. When the disease is discovered, the best option is to cull the infected animals to prevent it from spreading. The shark cull may in fact be exacerbating the shark problem in a cruel and ironic circle. For example, in Texas, scientists discovered that breeding among bucks with superior antler quality improved the antler quality of subsequent generations. PROS: Swimmers and surfers can be warned if a shark is detected close to shore. '"[34], In October 2018, the Queensland state government proposed a policy which would ban the photography of shark culling in Queensland; Lawrence Chlebeck of Humane Society International said the following about this proposal: "The Queensland Government's plan to put exclusion zones around shark control equipment is simply a measure to keep the slaughter of sharks and marine wildlife hidden from public view. But they are also in danger with overfishing, climate change and government-run culling programs threatening their . We should always establish both the pros and cons of culling animals before imposing any culling measures on any species. Sure, sharks are dangerous and if they get you in their sights, they can destroy you in an instant. [56] In November 2018, more than 7,000 Western Australians signed a petition demanding that the planned "SMART" drum line trial be abandoned. There has been strong opposition to the policy, including from one man who vandalised Premier Colin Barnetts office. Those with undesirable traits are culled, allowing farmers to drive profitability. Natalie Banks, testified the statement saying that the use of shark hooks has never proven to work. THE ABC reports that commercial fishermen in Western Australia are hesitant to tender for work on the states controversial shark cull because of concerns for their safety. This is done by targeting and eliminating animals that are sick or have undesirable characteristics. Shark nets are also used in New South Wales, which includes major cities like Sydney and Canberra. Its not a quick death and its not a pleasant one, either. The New South Wales Government believes shark nets are worth trialling and plans to install shark nets in a trial off the north coast before the end of the year. Shark culling is a term used to describe the blatant killing of sharks and is also used by some to describe the use of traditional drumlines. Avoiding shark culling allows fish to mature and recover. Bottom Line 501(c)(3) Non-Profit, Tax ID#: 82-1646340, The Truth about Shark Culling & the Devastating Environmental Impacts, According to the National Geographic estimates, we have already wiped out 90% of the worlds sharks. [38][39][19][40] The killings have been called a cull. This leads to an explosion in population because the older ones are not there to chase away or kill the younger ones. In spite of such efforts no significant decrease in . [37] However, a 2014 poll indicated that 80% of Australians did not approve of shark culling in Australia. It causes severe illness in animals and humans. I Was Curious, So I Tried It A Few Times, Best Mountain Biking Trails in Moab, Utah. [12] Shark nets are currently installed in Marine Protected Areas, and kill animals there. [2][3][4][5][6][7] Government officials often cite public safety (attempting to reduce the risk of shark attacks) as a reason for culling. But in KwaZulu-Natal, hundreds of harmless sharks - as well as turtles, dolphins and rays - still meet an untimely death every year as a result of the 28 kilometers of shark nets installed by KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board (KZNSB). has been looking into available options to minimize the risk of shark attacks. But is it necessary, and is it ever morally just to willfully kill an animal just for what it might do? of opposition from the community. Cape Cod voters, tourists and commercial fishermen are all likely to recognize sharks as an important, beneficial piece of the local marine ecosystem, but when it comes to seals, the groups have more divergent views, according to newly published data. [12] The current shark cull in KwaZulu-Natal has been criticized by environmentalists, and has been called "archaic" and "disastrous to the ecosystem". Some trials of the technology have taken place, with another trial due to begin this year at Port Stephens. It. Although surfers have called for more drastic actions, like culling in coastal areas, which is an understandable response to such a monstrous predator, theres no evidence that the falling numbers will reduce the likelihood of shark attacks. Eventually, the state government decided to cull them, which solved the problem. Will smart drum lines actually prevent shark attacks? In New Zealand, for example, after WWI, the emus had multiplied so fast that they were a danger to farmers. [9][8] The Queensland Government states that the purpose of the program is to "reduce the possibility of shark attacks on humans in coastal waters of the state adjacent to popular coastal beaches used for bathing" and "is committed to maintaining this important safety initiative". All Shark culling is the deliberate killing of sharks by government authorities, usually in response to one or more shark attacks. "With some species of shark seeing a 90 percent reduction, culling sharks could effectively result in dead zones in the oceans providing. He adds:" killing endangered species to boost public confidence or to show government action is not workable. "[17], A drum line is an unmanned aquatic trap used to lure and capture large sharks using baited hookssome (such as those in Queensland) are designed to kill sharks. [69][6][31] They also say that shark culling is "outdated, cruel and ineffective". [41] National Geographic cameraman Andy Casagrande said the following about the cull: "When will basic intelligence and respect for the planet be a requirement for highly paid supposedly educated government officials? Some animals pose a serious threat to or interfere with human activities such as farming, recreation, and even human settlement. You would have to kill a lot of sharks to create the level of depletion needed to result in a measurable drop in the risk to humans". They are literal nets that are designed to prevent sharks from getting near humans. For example, in dairy farming, culling is important because it helps determine the cows economic performance. PROS: Ability to sight sharks from the air and potentially give warning to water-goers through the use of sirens or signals. Is the culling of animals, right? The same happens in North America, where tourists pay as much as 500 dollars to hunt White-tail deer. PROS: Guaranteed to avoid a shark encounter by staying on land. This led to the termination of the three-year program afteronly three months. With about 90% of the worlds sharks and other large predatory fish wiped out through overfishing and culling, prey such as sea turtles and crabs have flourished. But the methods of culling chicks are inhumane. In 2016, the country also announced a decision to cull hippos in Kruger National Park after a drought. Grizzly Bear vs Black Bear: Whats the Difference. Given the legal status sharks enjoy, the benefits to humans would have to be especially high to justify culling as an ethical option. And, sharks are being caught faster than they can mature. PROS: Allows shark movement and behaviour to be monitored and studied, swimmers and surfers can be warned if a shark is detected close to shore. (a site that tracks attacks and fatalities by sharks across Australia), there is an average of 10 fatalities per year due to shark attacks globally, compared to the approximately 100 million sharks killed by humans annually for food, sport, and safety. Predators as Prey: Why Healthy Oceans Need Sharks, , highlights why we need to protect sharks. The Grom Life participates in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products. PROS: Less likely to make wearer look like a seal. The predatory role of sharks is also significant for the worlds economy. The RSPCA does not support killing sharks as a response to shark incidents involving humans. The balance between the shark vs. human attacks has been shockingly disturbed by shark culling. Sharks are so crucial for the, A marine biologist from the School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Robert Day, says, the top predators of the trophic levels in any ecosystem are critical because they, decide on whether other species thrive or not, Sharks prey on old, diseased, or weak creatures, thus maintaining the, If the number of sharks in the ocean declines, then other predatory fish species will become abundant that. Mr Barnett says commercial fishermen are understandably wary. The feces would also contaminate waterways leading to the risk of diseases. The 199798 outbreak of the Nipah virus in Malaysia, for example, claimed the lives of over a hundred pig farmers. Perspective All Sharks hold a economic and cultural significance to many communities. In Mauritius, the Mauritius flying fox had been causing great losses to farmers. "[12], The prevalence of shark attacks at Runion Islandthere were 19 attacks between 2011 and 2016, including seven which were fatalprompted Runion island's government to carry out a range of systematic long term activities utilising "smart" drumlines and longlines. Some are suffocated in plastic bags, while others are electrocuted. Five nets were deployed off Seven Mile Beach off Lennox Head; Sharpes, Shelly and Lighthouse beaches off Ballina; and Main Beach at Evans Head. Should Shark Culling Be Banned? There are situations where the culled species continue increasing because of the culling. Many people seem ready to begin a shark. According to the report, 16,177 metric tons of shark fin, valued at around USD294 million per year, were imported globally each year between 2000-2016, with 90% of these shark fin products being imported by four countries: Hong Kong SAR (9,069 mt/year), Malaysia (2,556 . CONS: Associate Professor Adam Stow, of Macquarie University told the ABC that: "Killing sharks risks disruption to the ecology of the ocean". Also during this period, a total of 15,135 marine animals were killed in the nets, including whales, turtles, rays, dolphins, and dugongs. Films like Jaws have given everyone the false impression that sharks are out there waiting for humans to bob by so they can snap and feast. [30] From 2017 to 2018, 218 sharks were killed, including 75 tiger sharks and 41 bull sharks;[19] at least 64 sharks were shot and killed during this period. [57] In January 2019 the Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia determined that the "SMART" drumline trial would have minimal impact on the environment.[58]. Between October 2007 and December 2011, about 23% of animals caught on the drum lines died. This explains why this point could not miss on our list of important pros and cons of culling animals. Sharks are more use alive than dead This is a difficult time. The KZNSB also states that there were seven fatal attacks at Durban from 1943 until the installation of shark nets in 1952, and that no fatalities or incidents resulting in serious injury have occurred since nets were installed. Fin-mounted satellite tags are also commonly used. The unprovoked shark attacks incited surfers to call for shark culls in Reunion Waters and other places worldwide. These diseases are highly infectious and fatal for both animals and humans. [6] In addition, Western Australia Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly said "there is currently no scientific evidence to show that drumlines reduce the risk of a [shark] attack". Below are five reasons why the practice is not 100% foolproof. Between 2017 and 2018, it was reported that 403 marine animals were killed by the use of shark nets. Use effective personal shark deterrents; release electro-magnetic radiations that exceed the sensory range of shark's receptors. [55] In August 2018, the Western Australia government announced a plan to re-introduce drum lines (though, this time the drum lines are "SMART" drumlines). "[34], "[Data] reveals the ecological carnage of [Queensland's] shark control regime. There are certainly a disproportionate number of them out there. Though we all feel that way about losing our close friends and relatives, would it be a rational decision? "[35], About 360 baited drum lines have been placed off the coast of Queensland, including 78 along the Sunshine Coast, 54 near Townsville, 27 near Mackay and 38 near Cairns. [21] Sixty-five percent of shark attacks in New South Wales occurred at netted beaches. [36] Queensland Fisheries Minister John McVeigh has described the longevity of the netting and drum line program as being "a good indicator that it had the support of most Queenslanders". According to the KZNSB, "from 1940 until most of those beaches were first netted in the 1960s, there were 16 fatal attacks and 11 resulting in serious injury. The traps with a baited hook that are used to attract and snare sharks instead trap them on the ocean floor, leaving them unable to swim. [21], The current net program in New South Wales has been called "outdated and ineffective",[18] and has been criticized by environmentalists, who say nets harm the marine ecosystem. You will not find paid product promotions or sponsored content on this site. The proposition for shark culling has been widely opposed by environmentalists, conservationists, and most policymakers. The shark population has, d significantly in the number over the past few decades in Australia. The purpose of shark culling is to kill sharks in order to decrease the shark population in an attempt to lower the amount of shark on human attacks. Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia, the French Overseas Department of Runion, "Can governments protect people from killer sharks? Valerie joined Chris Hemsworth in the documentary Shark Beach on NatGeo to discuss her experiences diving with sharks, shark culling and the importance of sharks to the marine ecosystem. Therefore, many governments started culling them. [8][9] The impact of culling is also minor compared to bycatch with 50 million sharks caught each year by the commercial fishing industry. 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