Western Australia rules out lethal shark traps after fatal attack

Sydney, Oct. 12, (dpa/GNA) – The Western Australian government on Monday ruled out deploying a lethal drumline trap to catch the shark responsible for the latest fatal attack along the state’s south coast.

The 52-year-old surfer Andrew Sharpe was attacked on Friday at Kelps Beds beach in Esperance – the latest in a spate of incidents in the area, which is a known breeding ground for great white sharks.

The Esperance community and local ocean safety groups had been calling on the government to step up shark safety measures, including installing drumlines which use baited hooks to trap and drown sharks.

“The government does not support lethal culling or lethal action against sharks,” Fisheries Minister Peter Tinley told reporters after a community meeting on Monday.

He said the government had put 37 million Australian dollars (27 million US dollars) towards alternative shark mitigation measures, and would likely install a netted swimming enclosure.
Witnesses said Sharpe had been bitten on the leg by a four-metre shark and pulled under water, local media reported.

Only his surfboard – with bite marks on it – and pieces of his torn wetsuit were retrieved.

The search for Sharpe was called off on Sunday afternoon after three days, with the blessing of his family.

In a statement, Sharpe’s family said he loved the ocean and was aware of the risks. “We knew the risks as well,” they added.

A 17-year-old girl was fatally attacked by a shark three years ago in the same area, and in 2014 a 23-year-old surfer lost his arm and other hand to a shark bite.

GNA