Marine scientists have criticised the decision to kill six sharks following attacks on two swimmers at a popular tourist spot in the Great Barrier Reef.
Queensland state authorities used drum lines, which use baited hooks, to catch the sharks - five tiger sharks measuring up to 3.7 metres (12 feet) long and one smaller black tip shark. It is not known whether any of the creatures were involved in last week’s attacks.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Fisheries Queensland said the sharks had been “humanely euthanised” and “taken out to sea for disposal”. Local media claimed they were shot, according to the Mail.
“The message is these waters are not safe for swimming,” a fisheries spokeswoman said.
The drum lines will remain in place over the next week on order to reduce the risk to swimmers. However, many conservationists and marine scientists say the lines pose a risk to other marine wildlife.
Experts have also warned that killing sharks could disrupt the ecology of the ocean.
According to Australian broadcaster ABC, the two recent attacks were the first in eight years.
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
