The Queensland government’s appeal over a ban on its controversial shark culling program has failed in the Federal Court.

September 18, 2019

The Queensland government has lost its battle for the right to use nets and drum lines to catch and kill sharks in a bid to protect swimmers on the Great Barrier Reef.

The state government appeal to maintain its controversial management program was dismissed on Wednesday in the Federal Court in Sydney.

The appeal follows an Administrative Appeals Tribunal decision in early April, which upheld a challenge to the program in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park by the Humane Society.

Marine Campaigner Lawrence Chlebeck says it’s a victory for sharks on the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland.

“No longer will sharks senselessly die for a misguided sense of security,” he said.

In its decision, the tribunal said the scientific evidence about “the lethal component” of the shark control program “overwhelming” showed it does not reduce the risk of an unprovoked shark attack.

It means the authority will now be required to carry out the program in a way that avoids killing sharks to the “greatest extent possible”.

The park will only be permitted to authorise the euthanasia of sharks caught on drum lines on animal welfare grounds.

The target shark list of 19 species is also to be removed from the current permit and all tiger, bull and white sharks caught on drum lines are to be tagged before being released.

Additionally, sharks caught on drum lines are to be attended to as soon as possible – preferably within 24 hours of capture – and tagged sharks are to be relocated offshore.

Mr Chlebeck called on the government to stop shark culls along the entire Queensland coastline.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries manages 173 drum lines about 500 metres offshore at popular beaches in the world heritage-listed marine park.

There have been no changes to the shark control program in other Queensland locations, including the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.