There seems to be a never-ending stream of non-target species being caught in nets and during the southern migration season, this means whales. The Humane Society International (HSI) is asking how many is enough?
For the fifth time during this whale migration season, a humpback whale has been caught in shark control equipment in Queensland. This time, the animal was tangled in a drumline off Stradbroke Island. The distressing scenes echo those witnessed each and every year during the whale migration season.
Humane Society International (HSI) is calling for immediate removal of shark nets and lethal drumlines in Queensland. At the very least, nets must not be kept in during the whale migration season.
HSI Marine Biologist Lawrence Chlebeck says that whales are caught every year in shark control equipment in Queensland. ‘The fact another whale has been ensnared is horrifying but not at all surprising. Every year this happens, and every year we ask the Queensland Government to transition to modern technology to better manage the risk of shark bite.’
After four whales were caught in quick succession earlier in the season the Premier and Minister Mark Furner publicly hinted that a decision to alter the program and remove the nets for the whale season was under consideration.
‘There have now been five whales caught this year,’ said Mr Chlebeck. ‘How many is enough? There are more effective, non-lethal strategies to protect both people and marine wildlife.’
The NSW Government removes shark nets during the whale migration season, but Queensland insists on using the ineffective and deadly nets year-round.
‘Humane Society International will be the first to applaud the Queensland Government if they listen to the science take the nets and drumlines out to reduce the catch of whales and find smarter ways to protect human and marine life.’
Brute force and ignorance has shown to be the most potent tools of this nation.
Nowhere is this more evident in QLD, where the war on the environment is in full-swing, it must be remembered however, this same stupidity is alive and thriving in all the NSW and Federal policies that deal with the environment. We have allowed them to suck the Murray/Darling dry and poison it to death, cattle farms and cane growers along with tropical fruit companies have been encouraged and funded to kill off the Great Barrier Reef. Do any of these criminals ever get held to account ?
NO ! They are much more likely to be Knighted or receive an Order of Australia.
….But hey , if we need to kill thousands of harmless marine creature , in order to reassure the non-existent tourists……well that’s just business as usual !
Cheers G”)
Ken, I think they justify it, the killing of many innocent marine creatures, as collateral damage. That’s what happens in war, the sea is just another war scene – Man vs The Rest, yes. On the land environment there are laws against cruelty to animals. Apparently those laws get a bit ‘diluted’ when it comes to the marine environment. So ‘the killer curtains’ are permitted so that humans can go and play in the water. f you don’t like the idea of being nibbled by a shark then go swim in a pool,