Save our sharks

We are coastal people. I have lived my life by the ocean and a good part of it in the ocean. Growing up, my friends and family always approached the beach with respect and an acute awareness that we are sharers of the waves and water with other species.

As sharers, we are accountable for sustainable coastal management practices. As sharers, we have a responsibility to advocate against ungrounded persecution of vulnerable marine species.

The Western Australian government has released policies regarding shark control measures including extensive baited drum lines set along the metropolitan coastline.

Shark culling is archaic and ineffective. Historically, culling has not reduced the number of attacks and, ironically, data collected in NSW between 1937 and 2008 show the majority of shark attacks occurred at beaches with shark meshing.

Educating communities in risk reduction and further examining why sharks are approaching shallower coastal waters is crucial to lowering shark attack.

Please support Australia’s continuing protection of vulnerable marine species, including the Great White Shark. Petitions to politicians are available online though saveoursharks.com.au and through their corresponding Facebook pages. We must continue to advocate for marine species that have no voice of their own.

Angeline Daniels, South Golden Beach