Two rare Japanese Devilrays are the latest victims of Queensland's shark nets, according to a story on abc.net.au
Queensland's shark control program on the Gold Coast catches much more than sharks and is responsible for snaring thousands of untargeted marine creatures (many of which die) every year, such as whales, dolphins and turtles.
The death of the devilrays highlights the indiscriminate nature of the nets.
Japanese Devilrays have rarely been documented in Australia and the International Union for Conservation for Nature lists the stingray species as near-threatened.
There are tried and tested technologies to protect swimmers from sharks that do not kill the species or any other marine animal. This includes Shark Tracking Technology and/or Electric Shark Guard.
Moreover, so many sharks are unnecessarily killed by the nets. The story states that since 1962 approximately 50,000 sharks have been caught in the shark control program off the Gold Coast.
Sharks, dolphins, turtles, whales and devilrays don't need to be snared to save the lives of humans! Will you join me in urging the Queensland Government to remove shark nets from Gold Coast beaches and implement marine life friendly technology such as shark tracking technology and electric shark guard.
Please sign and share the petition.
