Environmental groups are calling on the Queensland government to rethink measures used to protect beachgoers after releasing images of endangered sharks hanging dead off baited hooks in the Great Barrier Reef.

The images show two scalloped hammerhead sharks dangling lifelessly from hooks used by the Queensland government under its shark control program.

A scalloped hammerhead shark found dead at drumlines set off the coast of Magnetic Island. Credit:HSI/AMCS/N McLachlan

Humane Society International and the Australian Marine Conservation Society say the images, obtained off the coast of Magnetic Island last month and released on Tuesday, are further proof that a new approach is needed to prevent attacks.

Nicola Beynon, head of campaigns at Humane Society International, said hooking sharks was an outdated way to prevent shark attacks.