WA shark cull: Fisherman says animal he shot was threat to public safety

Updated

The fisherman who caught and shot the first shark under the WA Government's controversial catch-and-kill policy says the animal was a threat to public safety.

The shark was captured near Dunsborough on Sunday, less than 24 hours after the first drum lines were set in the state's south-west.

It was then shot in the head with a rifle and dumped at sea.

The fisherman has told Fairfax Radio that while he understands people are uncomfortable with seeing an animal shot, it needed to be done.

"It's an unfair contest, that's for sure," he said.

"The role would be completely reversed if I was in the water, but it's a threat to public safety, and we're tooled to do these things, and that's what we intend to do."

The fisherman said he is committed to the job despite the fierce debate surrounding the issue.

"I'll continue to do it, and then hopefully later we'll perhaps be able to take some samples and contribute in some way to knowledge and better understanding," he said.

He is confident the shark died quickly.

"I watched it closely yesterday and I was satisfied that I managed to get the rounds in the right place and we dispatched it as quickly as we possibly could," he said.

He says he is grateful that protesters have stayed away from his vessel, but that the media "are taking a big risk" by coming within the 50-metre exclusion zone.

Activists removing bait 'irresponsible'

The WA Shark Conservation group said some protesters have removed bait from the drum lines that have been set up.

Images of the fisherman holding a rifle to the animal's head prompted shark activists to vow they would ramp up their campaign.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell, who was one of the architects of the policy while he was fisheries minister, says the activists are being irresponsible.

"This is a measure to protect human lives, and my understanding is that the responsible authorities will be investigating those claims," he said.

"I just find it quite odd that people are objecting so vigorously to what's happening in Western Australia, and saying absolutely nothing to what's been happening in Queensland and New South Wales for decades and decades."

Mr Buswell says he is surprised at the amount of emotion in the debate.

"I think the level of hysteria that sat off the back of that is difficult to explain, although I acknowledge that people have very strong views on this matter," he said.

"There's been a lot of incredibly emotive commentary by a range of people, some who have very little knowledge about what they're talking about, in relation to this matter."

Mr Buswell says while he understands the idea of killing a shark is confronting, the Government has a strong obligation to prevent further fatalities.

"This is not about a desire to catch sharks, it's about a desire to protect the public," he said.

"I suppose my question is, to those people who are so violently opposed to it happening in Western Australia, is why do you value a West Australian shark so highly, and why do you value protecting a West Australian life so lowly, compared to the rest of Australia?"

Sea Shepherd says baited drum lines attract sharks

Sea Shepherd Australia spokesman Jeff Hansen says he felt ill at the sight of the tiger shark being shot.

"The way we treat this animal we rely on for our survival is to indiscriminately kill her on Australia Day," he said.

"It's a national shame. I know myself and many others felt very ashamed to be Australian yesterday."

Mr Hansen says millions of people are in the water every day worldwide and sharks cause, on average, five fatalities a year.

"If sharks wanted to eat us they'd be eating us every single day," he said.

"We're a slow-moving, easy target. We're not the food they're looking for."

He says drum lines attract sharks despite WA Premier Colin Barnett saying they do not.

"Then the question has to be asked of the Barnett Government: Why are they being removed for the Rottnest swim? They are attracting more sharks," he said.

"This is going to create a more dangerous situation, and if there are more fatalities from these drum lines, it will be the Barnett Government that has blood on their hands."

Mr Hansen says Sea Shepherd is planning a rally in Cottesloe this Saturday.

The protest group is also looking at legal avenues, and has spoken with the environmental defender's office and written to WA's Environmental Protection Authority asking for an environmental impact assessment of the policy.

Topics: shark, dunsborough-6281

First posted