More than 600 sharks have been killed off Queensland's coast in the past financial year as part of the state's shark control program.

Fisheries Minister Bill Byrne said he had no intention of changing or winding back the program despite calls for nets to be removed to protect whales and other sea creatures.

Several recent shark attacks on the New South Wales north coast had also reignited debate.

Shark nets or drum lines will remain off 82 beaches from Cairns in far north Queensland to the Gold Coast.

In the 2014-15 financial year, 621 sharks had been caught, including eight great white sharks, 251 tiger sharks, 111 bull sharks and 173 other whaler sharks.

Mr Byrne said the program, which has been running for 53 years, had the support of local governments, Queensland Surf Life Saving Association, businesses and tourist groups.

"The Queensland program is not a cull in anyway shape or form," Mr Byrne told a budget estimates hearing.

"The program is not designed to decrease the shark population. It is not designed to impact on the sustainability of shark populations.

"This program is purely designed to catch sharks that are in the vicinity of popular beaches."

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will for the first time start publishing the incidences of non-targeted animals captured.

Mr Byrne anticipated greater media scrutiny when that happened but he would not shy away from the fact that the program removed 621 potentially dangerous sharks.

Animals Rights activists wanted the Government to consider new technologies such as eco-shark barriers and investment in a shark spotters program.

Mr Byrne said about 20,000 whales passed the Queensland coast each year and entanglements were to be expected.

"In the past 20 years, 52 whales have been caught in shark nets and I'm pleased to say 48 were released alive," he said.