I used to live and work in Wellington. When i could take time off I would travel around the country to see as much of the beauty that New Zealand has including its unique wildlife. New Zealand is the most beautiful country I’ve been able to visit and it and the wildlife need to be protected, no question about it.
I love walking with dogs off leash but it is the wombats who must be considered. Their lives should not be put in danger so that dogs and people can have fun. It is their home and that must be respected.
I am a Gold coast Local that has lived here my whole life & am an avid diver, surfer & all round water enthusiast. I must say it's frustrating in the least knowing these nets & drum lines are still in use after all these years considering what we now know about our marine eco system & sharks in general. If we must have a shark detourant (although I'm not convinced we do) then why not utilise all the available scientific data we have to create a better more sustainable solution. This could be a chance for the Gold Coast to be an industry leader in this area & also create jobs & study opportunities.
As someone deeply passionate about ocean conservation, I strongly advocate for the removal of shark nets and lethal drumlines from Queensland's beaches. These outdated methods not only harm our precious marine ecosystems but also pose significant risks to non-target species, including dolphins, turtles, and rays. It's time we embrace sustainable alternatives that prioritize both human safety and marine biodiversity, ensuring a harmonious coexistence between beachgoers and our ocean's inhabitants.
Hi, my name is Phoebe and I am 16 years old. One of my passions is animal conservation and helping them to live a free and happy life, I am also in love with the ocean and I am absolutely obsessed with sharks. Which is why I signed the petition so that not only our voices can be heard but the sharks too!
We have made such a mess of our oceans and the complete disregard for all marine life but in particular threatened species that perish in these nets and drum lines, is horrendous. Please stop it now. The cost is far too high... 103,311 animals were victims of the QLD shark control program from 1962-2106... almost 10 years later I hate to think what those numbers are now. Just in the last 7 months the number is 1,692 victims of the nets and drum lines. We wouldn't bait a savannah to kill lions, we would take precautions. Maybe swimming in the ocean should be seen in the same way. Take precautions, educate, educate, educate... it is a more respectful way to exist on this planet.
Given that there is evidence that shark nets and drumlines do not keep swimmers safe but kill marine wildlife, it is time to abolish them for good. Queensland as a major tourist destination should champion the right of marine animals to remain unharmed and for tourists and locals to respect this right. There are effective means to keep swimmers safe. The government needs to be open to these. We as humans have been given a priceless jewel - our earth, and sharknets and drumlines are ineffective. Sharknets are not netted areas that keep sharks out, they are simple fishing nets and sharks swim around them, but a lot of marine animals get caught and die, that’s what I was told today at an RSPCA event!
As an Australian we should be embarrassed that our country normalises shark culling and that no action has been taken. With not only sharks being affected but other marine animals losing their lives, our beautiful oceans being destroyed and that shark culling hasn’t proven to work!