Wednesday October 14, 2009, 12:51 am
Shark nets along the Gold Coast will not be removed, despite yet another young whale being caught in a net off Burleigh Heads on Tuesday - the fifth so far this migration season.

It took just an hour to free the seven-metre juvenile, which shark control program manager Tony Ham said was probably one of last year's calves.

"This animal was calm and quiet, even though it was windy and conditions were difficult, so that helped the release," he said.

"Happily the mother was there to keep an eye on the young whale, and that usually gives them an opportunity to calm down... so that's usually a good thing for us."

Mr Ham said despite the number of young whales being tangled up this season, the shark nets will not be removed.

In fact the damaged net off Burleigh will be replaced before the end of the day.

Mr Ham denied the shark nets are being maintained simply because of political pressure and said their value in stopping shark attacks is well documented.

"The program has been in place since 1962 and in that time we've had one fatal attack on a protected beach, at North Stradbroke island in 2006," he said.

"There were a number of attacks prior to the program going in - some of those were pretty

horrific and fatal.

"We believe the program does work.

"It does catch sharks and it does catch dangerous sharks (so) to remove the nets even for the whale migration season is not an option."

Mr Ham said the argument that not many people swam in the surf during the migration season was simply wrong.

"We have people bathing on Gold Coast beaches

year round," he said.

"People come to Queensland for the very reason that we have safe swimming beaches."

He said it was "unacceptable" to remove the safety equipment, particularly with school holidays coming up.

Wednesday October 14, 2009, 12:53 am
Oh but people, there are also nets that don't kill or allows any species to be trapped in.But these are more expensive,so yeah,what's more important again? The mighty dollar

Wednesday October 14, 2009, 2:56 am
Noted & xposted in Oceans group. thanks

Wednesday October 14, 2009, 3:18 am
Thannnxxx Claudia.. a controversal topic for sure... safety fo people... but a bad deal for the sharks and other animals... was there not some sort of other plan they were going to implement.

Wednesday October 14, 2009, 3:37 am
I agree claudia, money speaks louder that humanity.

Wednesday October 14, 2009, 4:32 am
It so unfortunate that these nets have to be a pro and con situation, It makes you wonder what would work besides the nets!
It would be nice if the Government could use a certain radius width and depth wise to where there could be pier rock that would be high enough to where any type of large fish could not get through, I’m just speaking for swimmers. It’s a thought.
Thanks Claudia

Wednesday October 14, 2009, 4:33 am
I feel so bad for these wonderful finned friends!!!

Wednesday October 14, 2009, 5:21 am
its all about money

Wednesday October 14, 2009, 8:32 am
Why can't they put up signs on the beach to swimmers that say "Swim at your own risk!" I mean humans are taking over everything it is greedy and deplorable! They should go find a swimming pool for goodness sakes or just wade!
Thanks Claudia

Wednesday October 14, 2009, 12:05 pm
I agree, Tierney! When will human beings recognize the other creatures' rights???!!!

Wednesday October 14, 2009, 4:51 pm
All people know they take a risk when they swin in the ocean, sharks can come in as as far as 5' of water this is a known fact here in nc beaches. I'm glad they saved the baby but more can be done to make it save for them to not get caught in it but, as others have said money talks. Thanks Claudia.

Wednesday October 14, 2009, 5:31 pm
There are no sharks at Waikiki beach on Oahu, because there is a bank of coral reef about a mile out to sea, and the sharks dont cross it. So, maybe the aussies could build an artificial reef?

Wednesday October 14, 2009, 6:00 pm
poor whales

Thursday October 15, 2009, 4:35 pm
GOOD FUCKIN NEWS BABY, DICKHEAD CRASHES PLANE! HE WAS HARASSING OUR PRECIOUS WOLVES.

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/aviation/story/974810.html

Friday October 16, 2009, 2:57 pm
Thanks, Claudia.

Wednesday October 21, 2009, 10:08 am
WTF? As you said Claudia, it's all about the all mighty $$$, not anything about sasving wildlife!!!
/Tks kiddo :((((( I'm mad.

Thursday October 22, 2009, 2:23 am
Thanks for this article, Claudia.

Thursday October 22, 2009, 2:39 pm
If they could understand just a little, I wonder how would they feel if their son was in that net, how dettached from real life they are.

Saturday October 24, 2009, 8:10 am
noted