Shark culling will now be banned in the Great Barrier Reef marine park. A court has ruled it’s unnecessary.

Georgia Collings reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal first ruled against it, now the Federal Court has upheld that decision.

It effectively stops the culling of sharks caught on drum lines in the Great Barrier Reef.

Lawrence Chlebeck, Humane Society: “This is a massive victory not only for sharks but for all marine wildlife.”

Queensland has been culling sharks since 1962, in an effort to protect beach goers.

However the Administrative Appeals Tribunal found it was no more effective than simply moving them.

Not everyone agrees with the decision.

VOX 1: “Because, um, if they take all the shark nets and that out, yeah no you wouldn’t want to go out very deep!”

VOX 2: “Just be diligent and watch for them I guess. I’d still wanna go swimming here though.”

Marine advocates believe that relocating sharks rather than killing them is the best way to handle them.

VOX 3: “I think it’s an awful idea just because it’s their home and it’s where they’re meant to be.”

Every year, more than 900 sharks are killed on drum lines across the country, though there are still an average of 16 shark attacks annually.

The tourism industry worries that the new catch and release method will put beachgoers at further risk.

Kate Jones, Tourism Minister: “I’m calling on the Prime Minister to intervene. I’m sure the Prime Minister does not want blood on his hands.”

Georgia Collings, QUT News.