45 Sharks killed since start of the WA Shark Cull

Helmut Nickel, Shark Year Magazine,
24. March 2014

The following tables show the reported catches made by drumlines in the state of Western Australia from the date of the first deployment in late January to 16. March 2014.

The latest catch data reveals that 111 specimens have been caught (110 elasmobranchs and one bony fish).

The Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) has emerged as the predominant species with 105 individuals, of which 43 specimens were either found dead or destroyed because they measured over 3 metres in length.

Only four individuals of three other shark species appear in the catch statistics: Two Mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus), one Spinner shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna) and one Dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus). The Spinner shark was wrongly reported as a ‘Blacktip shark’ in the related ministerial media statement published about a month ago (see here).

But to date, not even one Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) has been caught.

Tables / Figure

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4 Comments

  1. Adele Commons

    I have absolutely detest this poorly conceived, unscientific, environmentally irresponsible, cruel and sensless shark cull!

    • Tidus

      I totally agree.  It’s disgusting.  I also have to wonder how many other types of animals may be getting caught and killed.  They’re not about to admit to it though.
      Interesting that according to their figures they haven’t caught 1 great white.  hmmm.

  2. Andy Cat

    I expect the mortality rate to be much higher, considering the recently documented cases of sharks being rescued from the bottom and swum by members of the public. How many of the ‘released’ sharks actually survived? I for one, will be glad when this disgusting practice (drum lines) is abolished.

  3. If a government were trying to prevent people from being eaten by White Sharks would they not realize from the stats they have collected so  far that it is not going to work and until they stop their current program they are doing untold damage to the own environment and inflicting senseless cruelty on creatures that are just going about their business. Like Japanese whalers and the fisherman of Taiji despite what they are doing being wrong this government will not back down until the people yell STOP loud enough . When these drumlines are removed at the end of April will the fight move to the East coast where the devasation has been going on for more than sixty years.

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