Thread: Aus Day 2014 - WA off to a bad start... Shark cull

It's really easy not to get bitten by a shark if you're that paranoid about it - don't go into the water. Not that hard...

Didn't know Queensland had been murdering them as well though - same thing applies as in my first post.

Why can't humans learn to live with all other animals for what they are, not just the ones we think are cute and cuddly?

Ok, let's see where that leads...

Originally Posted by nugge t

we better stop culling roos and rabbits as well

Mmmmm - Roo....

nugge t, my call of ignorance is directed at the policy makers more so than yourself. Apologies if I offended you.
Policy makers were provided with alternate, and somewhat overwhelming information, which suggested there were better options than catch and kill.

But due to peoples irrational fears, irrational policies are passed.
These policies were passed, and excluded from from being reviewed by our national environmental laws in 'national interest'. National interest is revenue raised from tourism.
We really must consider options for safe beach use, using a holistic approach. We cant afford to simply 'catch and kill big sharks cause theyre big nasty human killing machines'.

We need to consider the long term effects on the ecosystem.
No point having a nice beach for the grand kids to swim in, if weve destroyed the rest of the world in the process.



Here are some facts to support the irrational fear comment.

There have been 892 shark attacks in Australia since records began in 1791, 217 of which have been fatal. Less than one fatality a year (223 years since 1791).
Shark attacks in Australia: a timeline - Australian Geographic

Car fatalities in Australia in 2012 was 1303 people nation wide, approximately 3.5 deaths a day!
http://statistics.infrastructure.gov...0Territory.txd

People have a big fear of being eaten by a shark, because they perceive it to be a horrific way of dying. Sharp teeth, mauling, drowning etc.
But if you have attended a motor vehicle accident, I guarantee that is equally horrific.
Everyone jumps in a car with out a second thought more times a year than what they would swim in the ocean.


edit - also because qld had been doing something for 50 years doesnt mean its right. it may be effective, but not necessarily right.
as an example - there is a reason why cars are currently produced to emit lower emissions than in the past.

Originally Posted by bacicat

It's really easy not to get bitten by a shark if you're that paranoid about it - don't go into the water. Not that hard...

Didn't know Queensland had been murdering them as well though - same thing applies as in my first post.

Why can't humans learn to live with all other animals for what they are, not just the ones we think are cute and cuddly?

Ok, let's see where that leads...

Tend to agree with you mate. I really don't think that hanging a few baited hooks out in the water is going to have any significant impact on the number of shark attacks on the beach. Pretty sure that if we put our minds to it, we could come up with better methods which don't include just killing the things.

Me personally - well I keep out of their territory, same as I keep out of where I know there to be crocs when I'm up north.

Point that I was trying to make is simply that there are a lot out there who are happy to jump up and down about a practice that is just being started in WA, when that same practice has been going on elsewhere in the country for many years without even a whimper.

Doesn't do a lot for the credibility of one side of the argument.

Great start to Australia Day I had bacon and eggs for breakfast and a coldie with lunch and I live in WA. Easy up on the political rant as been discussed this is nothing new to Australia.

Originally Posted by Fatso

And your point is !

and the point is that political posts are not allowed, so we can just ignore the post or report it

Originally Posted by BMKal

Point that I was trying to make is simply that there are a lot out there who are happy to jump up and down about a practice that is just being started in WA, when that same practice has been going on elsewhere in the country for many years without even a whimper.

Doesn't do a lot for the credibility of one side of the argument.

Id like to think that Ive only presented factual and credible information in regards to this (as credible as media stories can be anyway ).

BMK, would you agree that it is easier to try and get a new law or policy revoked when it is newly introduced? As opposed to trying to revoke a law/policy/practice that is well established as common practice??

This is why Im aiming at promoting awareness towards something that can potentially be changed sooner than later. For me personally, sitting back and doing nothing is as bad as baiting the hook myself.
I've gotta try and do something. Even if one extra person is made aware of this on the forum and becomes a little proactive in the prevention of culling sharks, or it creates discussion amongst a group of mates Ill be happy.

I dont only want a world where my grandkids can experience the ocean, but a world where they can experience and witness all the animals and eco systems I had available to me in my life time.

Originally Posted by beagleONE

Id like to think that Ive only presented factual and credible information in regards to this (as credible as media stories can be anyway ).

BMK, would you agree that it is easier to try and get a new law or policy revoked when it is newly introduced? As opposed to trying to revoke a law/policy/practice that is well established as common practice??

This is why Im aiming at promoting awareness towards something that can potentially be changed sooner than later. For me personally, sitting back and doing nothing is as bad as baiting the hook myself.
I've gotta try and do something. Even if one extra person is made aware of this on the forum and becomes a little proactive in the prevention of culling sharks, or it creates discussion amongst a group of mates Ill be happy.

I dont only want a world where my grandkids can experience the ocean, but a world where they can experience and witness all the animals and eco systems I had available to me in my life time.

X2