RSPCA Queensland has expressed deep concern following the State Government’s announcement to expand the Shark Control Program (QSCP), warning that the move will result in increased suffering and death for Queensland’s marine wildlife.
In 2024 alone, the program’s shark nets and drumlines captured 1,639 marine animals, including dolphins, turtles, rays, whales and non-target shark species. Of these, more than 980 died, often from drowning or severe injuries sustained after entanglement.
“These animals are not just numbers, they are sentient beings who experience pain, fear and distress,” said Rachel Woodrow, RSPCA Queensland’s Head of Policy and Advocacy. “Many die slow, painful deaths after becoming trapped in shark nets and drumlines.”
The Government’s announcement comes despite findings from an independent review by KPMG, which noted that bycatch mortality had increased under the current program. The review concluded that the existing shark control equipment “falls short of desired ecosystem goals” and recommended that alternative strategies be explored to reduce environmental harm.
“Air-breathing animals like whales, dolphins and sea turtles can drown if they become entangled and cannot surface for air,” Ms Woodrow said. “These are deeply distressing and avoidable deaths.”
While the RSPCA acknowledges the importance of public safety, the organisation says shark nets provide a false sense of security. “These devices are not physical barriers. Sharks can swim around or beneath them, and yet they continue to kill marine life indiscriminately, including protected species that pose no threat to humans,” Ms Woodrow said.
The QSCP currently operates under exemptions from both Queensland’s Animal Care and Protection Act and the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act). RSPCA Queensland has raised concerns that expanding the program may push these exemptions beyond their original intent.
Ahead of the 2024 State Election, the newly elected government expressed a willingness to consider non-lethal alternatives. This week’s announcement may come as a disappointment to voters who had hoped for progress toward more humane, evidence-based approaches.
In response, RSPCA Queensland has joined the Nets Out Now coalition, standing alongside community groups, scientists, and conservation advocates to call for the removal of lethal shark control measures and the adoption of modern, non-lethal alternatives, such as drone surveillance, swimmer education, and personal shark deterrents.
“We urge the Government to urgently reconsider this decision,” Ms Woodrow said. “There are smarter, more compassionate solutions available that protect both people and wildlife.”
RSPCA Queensland remains committed to advocating for a transition to humane, science-backed approaches to marine safety that respect the lives of all animals.
