The Gold Coast’s shark management program uses a series of nets and drum lines in an attempt to remove potentially dangerous sharks from the beaches of the Gold Coast. Unfortunately the nets and drum lines often prove indiscriminate catching hundreds of animals outside of the target species every year. Harmless species of sharks, dolphins, turtles, stingrays, and whales have all become entangled and often killed in Gold Coast shark nets.

It is true that The Gold Coast has not experienced a fatal shark attack since the introduction of the shark management program but is that any proof that it is actually working? A common misconception is that the nets run the entire way from Main Beach to Coolangatta, when in fact the nets are only in place in certain locations, usually running for about 300m directly in front of each surf club. They often have holes or may not even reach the ocean floor (depending on tide and swell). If the shark does not swim directly adjacent to the nets at the correct depth and in the right location the nets will be ineffective.

When the shark nets and culling programs were originally introduced in 1962 it was commonly accepted that sharks were territorial and that removing (killing) the sharks in a certain area would be a real solution because other sharks would be unlikely to move to a new territory. Of course this theory has since been proven to be false with many species of sharks having been recorded travelling incredible distances in search of food, or suitable mating and birthing grounds.

So what about the solution the Western Australian government have adopted in the past of hunting and killing “rogue sharks”? Although not funny for the sharks it is laughable that in this age of technology and science a government would adopt a policy based on a concept from a science fiction movie. The concept of a rogue shark was popularised by the 1975 Spielberg classic Jaws and although being dismissed as fiction by most scientists and marine biologists there are still people and even governments that believe that a shark can actually get the taste for humans.

Giant strides have been made in the field of personal shark protection, with several personal shark deterrents now available on the market. Most of these devices work by emitting an electric field. The electric field confuses the shark’s sensory system, and for the shark getting close to the device would be akin to having a really bright light shone in your eyes. Whilst these devices appear to be effective there are suggestions that like a bright light the shark may actually be attracted to the device until they get to close. In the case where there are multiple swimmers but only one or a few protected by personal shark deterrents it is possible a shark could be attracted to the area and attack a swimmer or surfer who does not have a personal shark deterrent.

There are several companies trialling methods for protecting entire beaches. One company is ramping up the electric field found on personal shark deterrents along long cables attempting to create a shark proof field capable of protecting large stretches of beach without harming sharks or other sea life. Whilst early tests are showing promise, pregnant women and people with pacemakers would not be able to enter the water due to the powerful electric field.

Another concept currently being trialled is playing Killer Whale or Ocre sounds at loud volumes under the water. For many of the larger sharks the Killer Whale is their only natural predator. The theory behind this trial is simple, a shark won’t go where it might get eaten.

Whether or not you believe technology and science can provide a more effective and targeted solution than the nets the fact remains that even on an unprotected beach you are very unlikely to be attacked and killed by a shark, so get your board out of the surfboard cover and get in the water.