An international conservation group says Queensland's shark control program is "lagging far behind" other states — and countries — after more drumlines were installed on the Gold Coast.

Key points: A shark control manager says new drumlines on the Gold Coast are a precautionary measure after multiple shark sightings

A shark control manager says new drumlines on the Gold Coast are a precautionary measure after multiple shark sightings The Humane Society International says the move ignores overwhelming scientific evidence and a legal case

The Humane Society International says the move ignores overwhelming scientific evidence and a legal case There is a push for Queensland to follow New South Wales and trial high-tech 'smart drumlines'

Six drumlines have been installed 400 metres off Palm Beach after a four-metre great white shark was spotted in recent weeks, and days after a diver was killed by a shark off Western Australia's south coast.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the drumlines will be in place "as long as they need to [be]".

"Human life is absolutely paramount," she said.

"When we get that information we have to act, and they've acted quickly."

But Humane Society International (HSI) said the decision flies in the face of scientific evidence and will put marine ecology at risk.

A still from vision taken by conservation group Sea Shepherd showing a dolphin tangled in a drumline off the Gold Coast. ( Supplied: Sea Shepherd )

New drumlines a 'precaution'

Michael Mickitis, the manager of Queensland's Shark Control Program, said the drumlines at Palm Beach are a precautionary measure.

"We're hoping the shark actually moves off of its own accord," he said.

"Obviously the other alternative is that we catch the shark.

"We'll be assessing the situation everyday and we'll remove the drumlines as soon as the immediate risk has passed."

Mr Mickitis said installing drumlines after individual shark sightings is not a regular practice, but he said that the shark had been in the area for longer than normal.

He said 40-60 sharks are caught in drumlines on the Gold Coast annually, but 'occasionally' other animals like dolphins, rays, whales and turtles are also caught.

"We do everything we can to try and minimise the by-catch including deterrents and alarms on the nets, and alternatives baits on the drumlines," he said.

"We have trained people that go and release those animals as quickly as possible."

Answers still slipping through the net

In April 2019 Humane Society International won a legal bid with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal to stop the killing of sharks caught in drumlines within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The State Government later lost an appeal and removed the drumlines after Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said authorities could not "immediately or safely comply" with the tribunal's findings.

A 2015 trial of drumlines in NSW caught 43 sharks, including this great white. ( Supplied: Department of Primary Industries )

In its decision, the tribunal stated that culling sharks caught in the drumlines "does not reduce the risk of unprovoked shark interactions".

"The scientific evidence before us is overwhelming in this regard," the tribunal said.

Mr Mickitis said the Government's position is that "human safety comes first."

HSI marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck said the Queensland Government should be "acutely aware" of the tribunal's findings and that the state is "lagging far behind".

"Queensland's marine ecosystems are the crown jewel of the ocean environment in this country, and one would say perhaps the whole world," Mr Chlebeck said.

"Yet it's one of the only places on the planet where lethal culling still exists."

Drumlines a 'good response': Opposition

Opposition spokesman for Environment and Tourism, David Crisafulli, said the installation of drumlines on the Gold Coast should be a catalyst for reinstalling them in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

David Crisafulli says drumlines are needed, and should be more widespread. ( ABC Gold Coast: Dominic Cansdale )

"Drumlines are effective and they are the right response," Mr Crisafulli said.

"If it's good enough for one part of Queensland, it should be good enough for everywhere."

In September, the State Opposition committed $15 million to install high-tech 'smart drumlines' in the marine park, similar to those trialled in New South Wales.

The smart drumlines alert a fisheries operator when an animal is caught, and the animal is then tagged and relocated.

Mr Chlebeck said New South Wales, and other countries, have had positive results with the technology, but that it will take additional training and resources.

"When these sharks are tagged you get a better idea of shark movements," Mr Chlebeck said.

"Any bit of research, any bit of education is going to improve people's safety in the water more than just killing a few random sharks in the area."

'People versus sharks' the wrong debate

Mr Chlebec said human safety must be a top priority, but that the political debate around drumlines and culling has become misleading.

"It's important to take this debate away from people versus sharks," Mr Chlebeck said.

"There's better ways to protect people in the water, especially on the Gold Coast — things like drone surveillance, personal shark deterrence, education."

Alex Carvalho and Jimmy Martinovich do not support the drumlines at Palm Beach. ( ABC Gold Coast: Dominic Cansdale )

Palm Beach resident Alex Carvalho said the drumlines at his beach are "no good at all".

"There is no shark problem mate," he said.

"We don't see them a lot."

Byron Bay local Jimmy Martinovich said, "we know the risks when we go into the water, and sharks are in the water."

"It's just doing its thing, it's just living its life," Mr Martinovich said.