Qld: Beattie vows to fight for shark nets
BRISBANE, Feb 2 AAP - Queensland will fight a proposal lodged with the federal governmentthat shark protection equipment used on Queensland beaches be forcibly removed.
The idea was "crazy", Premier Peter Beattie said.
He said a proposal sent to the federal government calls for the shark nets and drumlines used on Queensland beaches be declared a key threat to sharks, particularly thegreat white.
Mr Beattie said the identity of the person making the proposal had not been revealedbecause of federal privacy laws.
"I'm astounded by the possibility that our shark nets and drum lines could be listedunder federal laws as a threat to some marine species," Mr Beattie said.
"This is crazy - the fact is removing shark nets and drum lines would endanger humanlives and threaten Queensland's $14.6 billion tourism industry."
Mr Beattie said that in more than 40 years no one had died from a shark attack at aprotected beach in Queensland.
"At the same time 15 people swimming outside protected zones have been killed by sharks,"
Mr Beattie said.
"I am not a shark hater and I place a high value on the rich diversity of creaturesin our coastal waters - but in my books human life always comes first."
Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk said beachgoers from Cairns to the GoldCoast were protected by 35 nets and 344 drum lines at 84 beaches in a $1.2 million programto help make Queensland a safe and attractive tourist destination.
"The Government is taking care to minimise the damage to marine creatures that mayget caught in shark gear," Mr Palaszczuk said.
"No-one likes seeing animals caught in shark gear, so we are investing money and ingenuityin developing ways to prevent this happening."
Mr Palaszczuk said the government was spending $500,000 on a five-year research projectthat was looking at ways to further reduce the risk to marine mammals.
AAP jfs/sco
KEYWORD: NETS
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