mother and calf whales caught in shark nets

Geoff Aquino

End Australia’s slaughter of marine animals

Topping tourism bucket lists, the state of Queensland in Australia is home to the Great Barrier Reef and some of the world’s most incredible marine wildlife. It is also where the Queensland government conducts a devastating shark culling program using mesh nets and drumlines, which cruelly entangle and kill sharks, dolphins, whales and other marine animals. This distressing reality just happened again—within a span of a few days—to two mother-calf pairs of humpback whales.

The program persists with 27 culling nets and 383 lethal drumlines, aquatic traps baited with hooks, on beaches from the New South Wales border all the way up to Cairns, including throughout the Great Barrier Reef. In 2024, 1,641 animals were entangled and hooked in these nets. Over half were not sharks, including 22 whales and dolphins, 37 sea turtles and 46 rays. More than 980 animals were killed.

Shark nets and drumlines are ineffective and don't reduce the risk of shark bites. In fact, by trapping dead and dying animals, they could be attracting sharks closer to shore.

It’s time to end the needless cruelty and suffering caused by shark nets and lethal drumlines and instead implement effective measures like barriers, personal deterrents and drone surveillance—solutions that can be implemented right now, to end this senseless killing. Let the Queensland Government know you oppose shark culling by filling in your details below.

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Minister

Andrew

Powell

Australian government

Dear Minister Andrew Powell,

I am writing to express my disappointment over the continued use of shark culling in Queensland. It makes me think twice about visiting.  

I am appalled by the use of shark nets and lethal drumlines in your waters, including the Great Barrier Reef and during the whale migration. It goes against all science and expert advice. I would prefer to visit a country that treats its wildlife with care and respect.  

Shark nets and drumlines catch and kill hundreds of marine animals every year—and over half are non-target species, including whales, dolphins, turtles and rays. The nets and drumlines provide nothing more than a false sense of security for the public while having a serious impact on Queensland’s majestic marine life. I am concerned that the dead and dying animals caught in them attract sharks to the shore.

The program should immediately transition to non-lethal methods that genuinely reduce the risk of shark bites to people, and the trial of non-lethal alternatives must be expedited. Nets and drumlines are not only cruel and ineffective—with today’s technology, they are redundant. 

Removing outdated shark nets and lethal drumlines, and using modern, evidence-based technologies to reduce the risk of shark bites is better for our oceans, our marine wildlife and public safety. The World Heritage listed the Great Barrier Reef and its wildlife as the envy of the world. Please look after it.  

Signed,

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