LAND-BASED TROPHY SHARK HUNTERS CAUSE SHARK ATTACKS

The recent social media-based phenomenon that is land-based trophy shark fishing has exploded in popularity on Western Australian Public beaches in recent years.

This activity often involves the use of whole pig carcasses and large containers of blood, guts, and offal "burley bombs" being weighted down close to the shore at popular public swimming beaches with one pig carcass recently being dumped under a children's swimming pontoon. 

These "burley bombs" often dumped under the cover of darkness when the fishing most often occurs are STILL present for days and potentially weeks afterward. This increases the risk of fatal shark interactions exponentially as does the release of often critically injured sharks whose subsequent death means that THEIR carcasses ALSO become burley bombs for large predatory sharks. 

Those trophy sharks that AREN'T released are NOT of an edible size due to mercury content so are often killed just for their jaws and fins which are then sold on the thriving blackmarket. Their bodies are often dumped back into the shallows and we are regularly seeing them washing ashore. These LARGE rotting shark carcasses ALSO then attract large predatory sharks close to shore.

These are NOT average Joe recreational fishers fishing for a feed for the table. This is a sport based solely on the ability to drag the shark out of the water for a photo for social media popularity. Many of the most prolific hunters are receiving financial gain including sponsorship from AMERICAN trophy-hunting companies.

Less than one percent of Western Australian Recreational fishers engage in this activity yet as a legal "sport" it has the potential to increase risk exponentially to one hundred percent of beach users that enter the water.  

The likelihood of a fatality after a shark attack has been directly linked to the distance of the incident from the nearest major hospital. Banning this activity in our regional and isolated tourism areas therefore is JUST as important as implementing a metropolitan ban.

If YOU are a surfer, a snorkeller, a scuba diver, a kayaker or a family member of someone who is then HELP US PROTECT OUR BEACHES, OUR FAMILIES AND OUR SHARKS NOW WITH THESE FOUR LEGISLATION CHANGES.

 

1. A ban on recreational "trophy” shark hunting STATEWIDE that prevents the LANDING of any shark over one metre in length. 

 

2. A restriction to a legally enforceable size (one litre) burley container to prevent the use of whole pig carcasses or other land based animals as well as other sharks and rays being used as burley but so as not to interfere with responsible recreational fishing activities.

 

3. A legislated requirement for all land-based trophy fishermen targeting mackerel and tuna etc to carry a tool capable of cutting through wire/trace/line at a distance that not only keeps the fisher safe but prevents the NEED TO LAND a potentially critically endangered shark and damage its internal organs. An injured shark sends stress signals to larger predatory sharks and should it die from its injuries then its carcass ALSO then becomes a further attractant to larger predatory sharks.

 

4. Commitment to funding high-calibre regulatory patrols through Fisheries WA with the power to enforce the above legislation with on the spot fines, equipment confiscation and jail terms for repeat offenders.

 

With much thanks from WAs recreational fishers, snorkellers, swimmers, surfers, scuba divers and ALL West Aussie families who deserve to be kept safe from this dangerous ego-based social media phenomenon on WAs beautiful beaches!

Share and sign our petition asking Fisheries Minister Punch to BAN TROPHY SHARK HUNTING STATEWIDE FOREVER. 

We can take our WA beaches back but we need your help.

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