Firstly not knowing the latest victim personally I would like to wish both his family & friends all the best wishes at this traumatic time.

With yet another surfing brother taken ,I was asked by a grommet as to why I think this is happening ?

Well ????? could it be ; more surfers in the water
; more sharks (the present quota system in NSW makes it unviable to fish them)
; protections on known "man-eater" species
; encouraged shark interactions ( burley /cage diving operators)
; less natural food sources for the sharks (human over fishing)
; better surfing equipment allowing us to surf in areas previously "off limits"
; global warming (ocean current/temperature/nutrient changes bringing bait fish closer to shore)

What do you lot think ? are we the next alternative on the menu for creatures that are simply starving ?

Anyone who uses the ocean regularly knows that the potential for shark interactions increase during certain times of the year.
Whale Season and Salmon Season
Unfortunately the government doesn't care about water users during these times as it's not in the peak summer tourist season.
With no real monitoring /studies about shark population going on, it's fair to assume that when an APEX predators main food groups are in abundance then the likely hood of the predators population to grow is great.
2 fatalities in 1 week off WA is shocking, but if no-one, including the government, are willing to do anything (cull, research, invest in tech), then we all have a right to be F&*King p!ssed off.

Either Remove the danger, or remove the food source,
either way your going to p!ss people off but we'll be safer for it.

Sharks aren't fished
Whales aren't hunted
Seals aren't clubbed.
More people in water.

They arent starving in WA. Loads of migrating whales, sea lions and huge numbers of big salmon currently. 2 fatal attacks in Perth in 1 week is not right. Especially after they killed a 4m white last week.

It's a giant buffet for an apex predator that is able to reproduce with ease.

Edit: i get the feeling Colin Barnett is happy to cull but cops so much grief from the likes of JBshack.

The only other option is to open up a gws game fishery where every shark caught must be tagged with a real time tracking tag. The technology is there and it's loads more reliable than a 3hr old SLSWA twitter alert.

A woman died today at Mindarie. Her injuries are consistent with shark attack.

How many is okay with the bleeding hearts??

I sincerely feel for the people who have lost loved ones in these incidents recently and previously. It hurts so much to loose one we care so much about.

I'm quite sure we all know there is a danger in entering the water. It plays on my mind sometimes when I'm in the water, but I'm aware of it and I take the risks (as the majority of water uses do). I do not support the cliched 'knee jerk' reaction to catch and kill, I feel it often does not catch and kill the 'target individual' but what ever is caught can help make people feel like there is some retribution on the offending creatures. I think it could be true that shark numbers are growing to a level where the rate of attacks are increasing on what we see as normal. But what is the normal and acceptable level of attacks? I think that there should be funding going to further the research of the GWS. Otherwise aren't we potentially only looking the issue from the wrong end? Prevention is better than cure and drums lines are only looking at the issue from a cure problem. If once research is carried out it is decided that the GWS can be taken off the protected list and be caught by fishermen to possible help control numbers then, ok lets do that. But lets do it with knowledge not just because we are scared and angry. I think it is natural selection and a part of life, we must take responsibility for our choices and not go shooting/killing of things we deem are a threat when we are doing activities that are dangerous by our own choosing. It could be like if a few people died at a reef break and then people decide to blow up the reef, let us make our own choices to go in the water. Let us make our choices and not be nannied with regulations and realise that life is dangerous and brutal at times. I think we as humans are wanting to live a life that is risky with no risk. We are trying to protect our population from everything when it is a natural part of life that people pass away. This could then stem onto the whole different issue of population control. Now I am not saying that sharks are a great method of population control but they would have been a contributing factor for the thousands of years. Shark population control vs human population control, who is more out of control?

On a slightly different note has anyone seen that movie Idiocracy, I feel like we are really heading that way these days with Trump and Kanye even thinking about going for presidency. It is a scary time we live in.

Sorry for those who would like to red thumb, I wish they were brought back too.

Whenever man (or women for the PC crowed) tries to change or alter the environment bad things happen. Don't have to be rocket scientist to understand that. What I think must be done is use technology to minimise the dangers we have. How this can be done is anybody's guess but to think you can remove an apex predator from the entire global oceans is fanciful and dangerous. I hate sharks as much as anyone and come in contact as I kite in a river mouth in dirty water with bull sharks galore but if I had to I would give it up or go elseware if things got to scary. What can be packed into a phone this days was thought unimaginable 10 years ago so maybe some smart kid can develop a deterrent or sonar alarm you wear while in the water.

Unfortunately the tide will change and so will public sentiment towards sharks at some point, that day is getting closer. We don't live in a natural world with a finely balanced ecosystem, its been plundered, polluted and abused. Humans are top dog, every other living creature is fair game to be used, abused and exploited with cuteness the only reprieve.

They will start culling larger GW.

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ThinkaBowtit said..
A woman died today at Mindarie. Her injuries are consistent with shark attack.

How many is okay with the bleeding hearts??

Time to star knocking off the big ones,
I have seen a GW 8 mtrs plus , in a popular diving spot at Mandurah, other fishers I know have seen the same .
Regardless of it being their home , they are protected, it will become a bigger problem as time goes by.( what to do?)
Up here shark talk is frowned upon because of tourism.
In one of Exmouth's very popular spots I watched a GW (about 4mtrs) do a very specky jump out of the water , at what I coudn't see,
the difference here is there is plenty of Big tucker here , not pissy litle salmon that would not , fill the guts of one of those , shall we say rather large fish.
I surf here and feel comfortable doing so , Never again down south.

ok so what is the difference from northern Aus and Crocs to southern Aus and sharks.

The entire North Queensland and NT is covered in croc warning signs. The attitude up there is you enter The waters you are at your own risk and if you get taken it was your own fault.

Why is this not the same with sharks. There are shark hot spots you enter at own risk. You get taken it was your own fault.

Sad day for another group of family and friends, with the latest causality. RIP.
Not only is the local enthusiast put off any activity, the whole tourist section linked to water use, cops a huge smashing. The ol saying "oh its their home" is the biggest croc of crap spewed by mamby pamby lot.
Cull will suit some fine, but sadly its taking lives to be lost, and industry ruined before anybody has the gall to take a stand.

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AndyR said...
Why is this not the same with sharks. There are shark hot spots you enter at own risk. You get taken it was your own fault.

So your point is to catch and kill the sharks that attack

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-03/'target-animal'-caught-and-killed-after-fnq-crocodile-attack/7476572

Do your own research on this one people but here is a tip ,don't wear an uncovered watch in the surf ,the left side of the body , thigh, hand or arm is often attacked .

Coincidence ? I think not...>)))))-> dirty water & bait fish .lose the watch guys.......

Hey oldgina,

The wording of your topic title is in bad taste.

(No pun intended)

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Hardcarve1 said...
Whenever man (or women for the PC crowed) tries to change or alter the environment bad things happen. Don't have to be rocket scientist to understand that. What I think must be done is use technology to minimise the dangers we have. How this can be done is anybody's guess but to think you can remove an apex predator from the entire global oceans is fanciful and dangerous.

It's actually very simple if we don't cull them. There are plenty of people who would be more than willing (and capable) to target a white shark on rod and reel and put a tag in them like they do for other gamefish. No cost to the government if game fishermen are chasing them. Tag technology has improved greatly in the last 10 years and surely you could monitor them live or every 15/30min or something. It still has its downsides of course.. Its the shark you don't see thats the problem, battery life, tag attachment etc but it's loads better than putting bouys along the coast. From memory there isn't one north of Mindarie/Quinns?

It would save lives (nuisance sharks etc) and the data you could get from live tracking would be incredible.

If we don't do something better soon, WA will become the next Amity Island

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MDSXR6T said..

Hardcarve1 said...
Whenever man (or women for the PC crowed) tries to change or alter the environment bad things happen. Don't have to be rocket scientist to understand that. What I think must be done is use technology to minimise the dangers we have. How this can be done is anybody's guess but to think you can remove an apex predator from the entire global oceans is fanciful and dangerous.

It's actually very simple if we don't cull them. There are plenty of people who would be more than willing (and capable) to target a white shark on rod and reel and put a tag in them like they do for other gamefish. No cost to the government if game fishermen are chasing them. Tag technology has improved greatly in the last 10 years and surely you could monitor them live or every 15/30min or something. It still has its downsides of course.. Its the shark you don't see thats the problem, battery life, tag attachment etc but it's loads better than putting bouys along the coast. From memory there isn't one north of Mindarie/Quinns?

It would save lives (nuisance sharks etc) and the data you could get from live tracking would be incredible.

If we don't do something better soon, WA will become the next Amity Island

We'd all prefer credible data, thanks

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Buster fin said...

MDSXR6T said..

Hardcarve1 said...
Whenever man (or women for the PC crowed) tries to change or alter the environment bad things happen. Don't have to be rocket scientist to understand that. What I think must be done is use technology to minimise the dangers we have. How this can be done is anybody's guess but to think you can remove an apex predator from the entire global oceans is fanciful and dangerous.

It's actually very simple if we don't cull them. There are plenty of people who would be more than willing (and capable) to target a white shark on rod and reel and put a tag in them like they do for other gamefish. No cost to the government if game fishermen are chasing them. Tag technology has improved greatly in the last 10 years and surely you could monitor them live or every 15/30min or something. It still has its downsides of course.. Its the shark you don't see thats the problem, battery life, tag attachment etc but it's loads better than putting bouys along the coast. From memory there isn't one north of Mindarie/Quinns?

It would save lives (nuisance sharks etc) and the data you could get from live tracking would be incredible.

If we don't do something better soon, WA will become the next Amity Island

We'd all prefer credible data, thanks

2 in a week, probs more to come.

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ThinkaBowtit said...
A woman died today at Mindarie. Her injuries are consistent with shark attack.

How many is okay with the bleeding hearts??

Nice small minded hysterical comment.

I lost an Uncle to a shark attack and disagree with any culling or hunt and kill.

Ben's Dad has the same sentiment apparently.

Our hearts are bleeding for reasons you and people like you couldn't understand.

There are risks in any activity. Shark attack is very low risk. You surf, deal.

Bet you don't believe in global warming either huh?

Don't worry, I won't be posting again on this. It's just I finally had enough of insensitive, grandstanding fools like you jumping up and down.

Problem with tagging and tracking is there are soooo many.
If you tagged and tracked them ( and publicly displayed their whereabouts ) the beaches would soon be deserted.

Maybe they need to take the ban off commercial shark fishing,as to reduce the numbers a bit.
No need for a cull but maybe thin the numbers

I went to secret harbour on Mon, one day before the Gearies shark. I was thinking about going again this morning, nah too sharky at the moment. A few years ago, chased out the water an hour before the body boarder was taken at the Farm. I'd love to go back to some isolated south coast spots that work in Winter, but I might give it a miss this year. 20 years ago, sharks weren't really a consideration. Our lifestyle is being compromised by big sharks, which in reality are no more special than any other species we eat. The support for the protection of these fish is basically killing several people a year and keeping people out if the water. I find that hard to understand, especially when you know most of them are eating meat, fish etc etc.

The obvious and easiest solution, just allow fishing like any thing else, and monitor the numbers. Even have a minimum size limit for sharks kept would work. We do this for dozens of species.

On top of that, stop using the cull word, its certainly not helpful.

And ban the ridiculous cage diving rubbish.

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harry potter said...
Problem with tagging and tracking is there are soooo many.
If you tagged and tracked them ( and publicly displayed their whereabouts ) the beaches would soon be deserted.

How is that a problem? Have game and commercial fishermen tag hundreds(++) of whites and tigers. This leads to factual movement patterns (ie are those sharks around the Neptune islands coming into WA or are staying put and playing with the cage divers), new breeding grounds and breeding research. If we suddenly find we have thousands of sharks breeding at an uncontrolable rate, we can scientifically look at culling them, how many and right down to which ones.

It's a ****load of work but the current situation isn't working and unless something serious (shark shields etc are great ideas but have no chance on a 4m white), it's going to get a lot worse.

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Stuthepirate said...

AndyR said...
Why is this not the same with sharks. There are shark hot spots you enter at own risk. You get taken it was your own fault.

So your point is to catch and kill the sharks that attack

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-03/'target-animal'-caught-and-killed-after-fnq-crocodile-attack/7476572

No I'm not talking about what authorities choose to do I am talking about the general attitude in the public.
I think you would be hard pressed to find a person in far North Queensland that would be of the opinion that the lady who was taken by the croc last week that her actions were nothing short of stupid going swimming at a well known croc spot at night.

If there were pumping surf spots in FNQ what would we think if a surfer got taken by a croc?

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thedrip said..

Bet you don't believe in global warming either huh?

lol.

What an odd thing to say in a sharky thread.

Bizarre.

So dude, I'm guessing you're a true believer in the warming fairies, hey ?

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thedrip said..

ThinkaBowtit said...
A woman died today at Mindarie. Her injuries are consistent with shark attack.

How many is okay with the bleeding hearts??

Nice small minded hysterical comment.

I lost an Uncle to a shark attack and disagree with any culling or hunt and kill.

Ben's Dad has the same sentiment apparently.

Our hearts are bleeding for reasons you and people like you couldn't understand.

There are risks in any activity. Shark attack is very low risk. You surf, deal.

Bet you don't believe in global warming either huh?

Don't worry, I won't be posting again on this. It's just I finally had enough of insensitive, grandstanding fools like you jumping up and down.

I'm not just some random chucking comments about. I'm sorry about your uncle, I'm sorry for every family member and friend touched by every shark attack. I'm glad there was a time when they rarely if ever happened and I'm sorry that the people I'm close to were first in what has become a long line of attacks.

It ****s me when people say the whole ecosystem will collapse without the apex predator blah blah - that's bull****. It didn't happen before when there was a free for all on sharks. We are in an even better position to monitor it now to make sure it won't happen.

Sharks are fish. We can and do manage fisheries. Don't lose sight of that.

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AndyR said..
ok so what is the difference from northern Aus and Crocs to southern Aus and sharks.

The entire North Queensland and NT is covered in croc warning signs. The attitude up there is you enter The waters you are at your own risk and if you get taken it was your own fault.

Why is this not the same with sharks. There are shark hot spots you enter at own risk. You get taken it was your own fault.

The difference is they didn't suddenly stop protecting crocs - and we don't do cage dives and chum up to get crocs in a frenzy for tourists.

I am no marine scientist but it seems pretty damn basic and the link to more shark attacks can't be too hard to figure out.

I think that humans just can't live without creating constant danger for themselves.

Very soon we will be colonizing next planets and just cant imagine the somebody come with idea of nice clean environment over new land.

They will definitely bring crocks and snakes, spiders to crawl a Mars deserts, toads will jump 3 times the distance across in lower gravity.

Everything to remind us the sacred Earth mother planet.

In few years time our shark problem will be resolved by electronic devices repelling them from beaches or even automatic underwater drones detecting and chasing them away from shores. But for now we could only use what we have in our disposal and I doubt that any methods will really could make sharks exit. In similar way you could argue that removing mold from your bathroom and kitchen with chlorine will effect natural habitats, and that mold fungi may disappear from planet forever.

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Mark _australia said..

AndyR said..
ok so what is the difference from northern Aus and Crocs to southern Aus and sharks.

The entire North Queensland and NT is covered in croc warning signs. The attitude up there is you enter The waters you are at your own risk and if you get taken it was your own fault.

Why is this not the same with sharks. There are shark hot spots you enter at own risk. You get taken it was your own fault.

and we don't do cage dives and chum up to get crocs in a frenzy for tourists.

I am no marine scientist but it seems pretty damn basic and the link to more shark attacks can't be too hard to figure out.

Really ???? Have you been up north and been on a croc tour ?

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lotofwind said..

Mark _australia said..

AndyR said..
ok so what is the difference from northern Aus and Crocs to southern Aus and sharks.

The entire North Queensland and NT is covered in croc warning signs. The attitude up there is you enter The waters you are at your own risk and if you get taken it was your own fault.

Why is this not the same with sharks. There are shark hot spots you enter at own risk. You get taken it was your own fault.

and we don't do cage dives and chum up to get crocs in a frenzy for tourists.

I am no marine scientist but it seems pretty damn basic and the link to more shark attacks can't be too hard to figure out.

Really ???? Have you been up north and been on a croc tour ?

croc tours all over the far north stirring up croc's and teasing them into a Frenzy for tourists.
plenty on very small boats too.

Fair call waveslave, it was not intended to cause offence.... What title would you have put a too the thread Buddy ?