* the drum lines didn't only kill sharks 3m and over
* it's unclear how shark populations are going. Over 125 million are killed for food each year.
* this policy hurts tiger sharks moreso than other species, which are already of concern for conservation methods, largely due to the fact they are slow-breeding and live near shorelines as opposed to deep in the ocean. However, given their proximity to shores, it's remarkable how few people are attacked by them
* very few people who have been taken by sharks have taken safety precautions, most have actively put themselves in harm's way. They know the risks and choose to take them. Many are abalone divers or pearl divers who know the risks involved. Pretty much every single victim of a shark attack is aware of the fact they are in sharks' natural habitat, and choose to be there and take that risk.
* it's barbaric and selfish.
* it targets sharks who have not attacked anyone and who may never have attacked or killed anyone were they to live their entire lifespans.
* they used drumlines with baits, which attracted a lot of sharks. Even species which don't generally come close to shore.
* you claim sharks won't go extinct due to the fact that they're only killing sharks over 3m's, which for a white pointer is almost a baby. There is evidence to indicate the opposite of your claim, but it's unknown what the consequences are likely to be from a conservation standpoint. Therefore it's unethical to apply any other principle than the Precautionary Principle.
26-73 million sharks are killed each year for their fins. Have you heard of shark fin soup? A Chinese delicacy. Popular as it was a dish once reserved for nobles, it is now available for the public. Served at weddings and events etc. due to it's high demand, the price for fins are quite high. Meaning that many have gone into the business of shark finning. As the price of the fins are worth more then the shark, and the space on the boats is best reserved for the fins rather then the rest of the shark. Also due to the amount of time wasted on having to kill the shark. Once the shark is caught, they cut of each of it's fins, then dump it back in the ocean... Alive. Apart from the pain of having all of its fins cut off. Unable to swim without it's fins, the shark is unable to breath, as it needs to move in order to breath. The shark slowly suffocates to death. Or is eaten alive by other sea life. As the trade is kept quite secretive, and the number or sharks killed each year from this finning process is unknown. So the number above is just as many as is known. There is estimated to be a lot more killed. And to mention, that that number is also just the number or sharks killed due to finning. That's not including the amount of sharks killed commercially which is estimated at 100 million. Shark is used in a lot of fish and chip stores. The amount of sharks caught just from your everyday fishermen, or even the amount of sharks killed just out of fear. Top it off with this shark cull... And well there isn't much help for this animal. Last I remember I think about 73 shark species are endangered. Plus all of the species that are now extinct. The cull is pointless, that is why so many are against it. The people who die from shark attacks in Australia are about two a year. That's it. Just two. The amount of people killed in car crashes, killed by cancer, killed by coconuts even- more people die from that then they do by sharks. Should we then go on a coconut cull? People who are attacked from sharks almost always escape alive. Sharks don't like the taste of human flesh, the take a tester bight to a leg or arm, and then swim away. It's not like jaws. Most people who are attacked oppose the shark cull. The better alternative is to tag the sharks, then we can track sharks, find out where they go, what they do, just find out about them, and also we can see if they come into shore often. Most environmentalist and shark experts agree this is the better alternative. The government wants to show people that they are fixing the problem of 'shark attacks' without having to spend much money. Sharks are so so important to our marine ecosystem. If they go extinct, our Maine life will crumble. It is a horrible situation. One that many are not aware of. I did a school project on it. Most people asked 'what's wronged with sharks' when I told them that was what my project was on. People don't know. We need to spread the word. Or we are all in trouble. I hope this helps, good luck!
sharks aren't gonna be extinct due to the fact that they're only killing the ones that are 3m and over, the small ones are harmless. do you still think shark culling is unnecessary? thanks!
