Queensland Residents draws to the attention of the House: the necessity to remove outdated, lethal shark control measures and switch to modern shark mitigation technology that will protect humans and sea life.

The use of drone technology for aerial shark surveillance is an effective and affordable way of preventing negative human and shark interactions. At the same time it allows sharks and other marine animals to exist safely in their natural environment.

The feedback collected in the Queensland SharkSmart Drone Trial already highlights the positive community sentiment towards the use of drone technology and, as such, the program should be accelerated to roll out to all Queensland beaches as quickly as possible with appropriate equipment, training and community education made a priority.

Concerns about nets and drumlines have been raised by 49% of people who responded to Shark Smart Community Sentiment Report. A main concern for the public is the impact that shark nets have on migrating whales that travel through Queensland’s coastal waters each year.

As an example, on 11 August 2021 a sub adult humpback whale was entangled in shark nets off the Gold Coast and Marine Rescuers could not completely untangle the whale despite a >48 hour rescue operation.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to rapidly end the use of shark nets in Queensland and roll out non-lethal drone technology and aerial shark surveillance.