2025-10-29
The Greens implore Minister Watt to remove an EPBC exemption that allows state-controlled shark cull programs following the death of a humpback whale calf after it became entangled in a shark net near Wollongong NSW.
The tragic event unfolded at the same time dozens of sharks were spotted in shallow waters inside shark nets and drumlines at one of Australia's most popular and famous surf spots, Snapper Rocks QLD, proving yet again nets aren’t a safety barrier against sharks.
Quotes attributable to Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
“What further proof do governments need that shark nets do not work, and can even attract sharks to beaches where they can feed on marine wildlife caught in these barbaric walls of death.
“Federal law enables the state-sanctioned animal cruelty that we're seeing off our Queensland and NSW coastlines through a dangerous and archaic EPBC exemption.
“It’s time to end the world’s longest marine cull and stop this barbaric government-sanctioned animal cruelty.
“The Greens again call on federal Environment Minister Murray Watt to reject the Queensland government’s plans to expand its shark cull program, and to remove the EPBC exemption to all state-controlled shark cull programs that threaten federally protected marine wildlife.
“Governments can help keep ocean-goers safe by supercharging investment in modern-day alternatives to outdated and ineffective shark nets and drumlines.
“These include subsidising shark shield personal deterrent devices, shark spotter programs, eco-shark barriers, bite-proof wetsuits, and improving public education. A 2017 Senate Inquiry into shark risk mitigation recommended the federal government show national leadership on driving this investment, but this has so far been ignored.”