Fisherman in charge of WAs shark catch-and-kill drumlines ready to go TREVOR PADDENBURG PERTHNOW JANUARY 25, 2014 5:13PM 105 COMMENTS UP CLOSE TO THE SHARK BOAT 0:08 Play video A rider on a jet ski gets a close look at the shark boat laying a baited drum line DRUMLINES have been set this afternoon off beaches in WAs South-West as part of the shark catch-and-kill plan. It came as conservationists patrolled waters off Dunsborough in anticipation of drumlines being deployed. At 2.25pm, the first drumline was set 1km off Old Dunsborough, complete with a large hook baited with three large fish. By 3.30pm seven were in place east of Meelup Beach and just before 4pm, two more drumlines were deployed off Castle Rock at Cape Naturaliste. However, less than two hours after drumlines were first deployed, PerthNow clearly saw a very large stingray investigating one baited hook, calling into question the State Governments assertion that by-catch would not be an issue. The Marine Response Unit (MRU), a coalition of conservation groups, said it was preparing equipment and resources to protect marine life in South-West water from these barbaric drum lines. The MRU absolutely condemn the actions of the Barnett government and the commercial fisheries companies involved in the setting of drum-lines, a MRU spokeswoman said. The method has been condemned by marine scientists and also the Humane Society International as cruel and unnecessary and has not been proven to be effective in protecting the public. A notice to mariners, published on the Department of Transport website, announced that a number of shark drum lines had been deployed in the South-West and would be deployed off Perth beaches soon. Modified penalties will apply to vessels which approach, moor to or interfere with the equipment, according to the notices. Mariners are advised to navigate with caution in the shark-kill zones and keep well clear of the drum lines. Pics of the fisherman on their boat who are preparing to set drum lines off Dunsborough . Picture THEO FAKOS Source: News Limited The drum lines are attached to floating buoys marked with the words: Government of Western Australia - If found please report to 1800 040 334. A Department of Premier and Cabinet confirmed the wording of the notice for mariners changed after it originally implied drum lines would be in place off metropolitan beaches from Monday. The fact remains, baited drum lines will be placed at popular metropolitan beaches as soon as possible, and mariners need to be advised there are exclusion zones around these deployments, a spokesman said. This morning, conservationists were seen in South-West waters as they prepared for the drumlines to be set. Amy-Lea Wilkins, spokeswoman for conservation group Animal Rescue Team, said she had a team of 22 volunteers in Dunsborough including a vet and a marine biologist. She said they would enter the water with scuba diving gear to free any hooked sharks as well as bycatch including dolphins, turtles and rays. The fisherman on theboat as they set drum lines off Dunsborough. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: News Limited They are currently on the water in an inflatable dinghy doing reconnaissance, she said. We dont want any marine life dying and well do our best to save any animals that are caught, including sharks, she said. Were not sure how quickly he will have the drumlines set or when hes going to start, but we want to be ready. Early this afternoon, the fisherman picked up a deckhand from Quindalup Beach and at 1.30pm he was preparing gear on his boat, which was loaded with buoys and other equipment. There was no immediate sign of protesters, who are said to be in the area aboard an inflatable boat. There was also no sign of water police or Fisheries Department officers on the water. Yesterday, a spokesman for Premier Colin Barnett said the fisherman, who has asked to remain anonymous, was heading from Perth back to the South-West and is tooled up with the drumlines and other equipment he needs. The boat with the drumline equipment. Picture: Theo Fakos Source: News Limited He is going back down south... and then it is up to him and his crew. Hes tooled up, so to speak, and ready to go. Wed like him to get underway but that depends on him and his crew, the spokesman said. Its an operational matter for him now. He will go when he and his crew are ready. Protesters have vowed to disable the drumlines and stop sharks being caught. But the fisherman has told media that he has a direct line to police if protesters try to stop him setting and checking the baited hooks. Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt this week granted the State Government a temporary exemption from national environment laws protecting great white sharks. Up to 72 drumlines are due to be deployed after the government announced Department of Fisheries staff would bait and monitor the hooks in Perth and a fisherman had been contracted to patrol the South-West. In the South-West, the first phase of drumlines will be set from Quindalup and Dunsborough to Castle Rock. More than 4000 people protested against the plan earlier this month and a second rally is planned for Cottesloe Beach at 10am on February 1. The proposed policy has attracted worldwide media attention, with the Wall Street Journal among many overseas publications to pick up on the story. And Ricky Gervais and a host of other British celebrities have backed a campaign to stop WAs plan to catch-and-kill sharks. The world famous comedian and prominent animal rights advocate was pictured holding an anti-cull sign at yesterdays National TV Awards in London. Olympians Rebecca Adlington and Tom Daley, comedians Keith Lemon and Alan Carr and reality show star Mark Wright were also photographed on Twitter weighing into the debate. Meanwhile, the shark barrier designed to protect beachgoers at WAs popular Dunsborough beach has been completed. The Premier confirmed the City of Busseltons beach enclosure trial at Old Dunsborough Beach is under way. The $165,000 barrier, based on those used on the Gold Coast to prevent bull shark attacks, has been constructed over the past few months. The enclosure comprises six metal piles drilled into the seabed supporting a 100m x 300m mesh barrier. The trial will test the suitability of beach enclosures to protect beachgoers from sharks. Mr Barnett said Old Dunsborough Beach was an appropriate location - despite no shark attacks being recorded at the location. Old Dunsborough Beach is used for school holiday swimming lessons, surf lifesaving and community events, he said. Mr Barnett said the beach enclosure trial was one of a range of measures put in place to decrease the risk from a shark attack.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 11:18:59 +0000
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