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Equipment and locations

Equipment

Nets

Nets intended to catch 'resident sharks' and sharks that move through an area while feeding on bait fish.

The shark control program (SCP) large mesh nets are specifically designed to catch sharks over two metres in length. The SCP aims to reduce the number of potentially dangerous sharks in particular areas rather than create an impenetrable barrier against shark attack.

Nets are 186 m long and most nets have a depth of six metres and a mesh size of 500 mm.

The nets are set adjacent to the shoreline according to the prevailing tides and currents. Their distance from shore is determined by topographical features of the area and sea conditions. Equipment is usually placed far enough offshore to prevent human and shark interaction.

Diagram of the shark net arrangement (PDF, 430 KB).

Drumlines

Drumlines catch actively feeding sharks using a shark hook suspended from a large plastic float, which in turn is anchored to the sea bed. Only fresh, natural bait is used to catch the sharks.

Diagram of drumline arrangement (PDF, 290 KB).

Servicing of equipment

SCP equipment is serviced every second day, weather permitting, by independent contractors who work under Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol supervision. All fishing equipment is removed from the water for maintenance and replaced with fresh equipment at least once every 21 days.

Contractors' duties also include assisting with collaborative research projects associated with the SCP and providing a 24-hour, seven-day service in case of emergency.

The contractors' procedures and performance is reviewed regularly

Locations of shark control program (SCP) equipment

Chartlets of equipment locations:

SCP equipment is installed at the following Queensland beaches:

AreaBeach
Cairns Buchans Point Beach, Clifton Beach, Ellis Beach, Holloways Beach, Palm Cove, Trinity Beach, Yorkeys Knob
Townsville and Magnetic Island Alma Bay, Florence Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Kissing Point, Nelly Bay, Pallarenda Beach, Picnic Bay, Radical Bay
Mackay Blacks Beach, Bucasia Beach, Eimeo Beach, Harbour Beach, Lamberts Beach
Capricorn Coast Cooee Bay, Emu Park, Farnborough Beach, Fisherman Beach, Kemp Beach, Lammermoor Beach, Mullambin Beach, Tanby Point, Yeppoon
Gladstone Tannum Sands
Bundaberg Barbara, Kelly's Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach
Rainbow Beach Rainbow Beach
Sunshine Coast Alexandra Headland, Bribie Island, Buddina Beach, Caloundra, Castaways Beach, Coolum Beach, Currimundi, Hyatt Regency Resort, Marcus Beach, Marcoola Beach, Maroochydore Beach, Moffat Beach, Mooloolaba Beach, Mudjimba Beach, Noosa, Peregian Beach, Point Cartwright, Sunrise Beach, Sunshine Beach, Surfair Resort, Twin Waters Resort, Wurtulla, Yaroomba Beach
North Stradbroke Island Amity Point, Cylinder Beach, Ocean Beach
Gold Coast Broadbeach, Burleigh Beach, Bilinga Beach, Coolangatta Beach, Currumbin, Elkhorn Avenue, Greenmount Beach, Kirra Beach, Kurrawa Beach, Main Beach, Mermaid Beach, Sheraton Mirage Beach, Miami Beach, North Burleigh Beach, Northcliffe, North Kirra Beach, Narrow Neck, Nobby Beach, Palm Beach, Rainbow Bay, Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise Beach, Tallebudgera Beach, Tugun Beach

Notices to Mariners will advise SCP equipment locations around Queensland.

Research and development

A number of ongoing projects are examining the effectiveness of the shark control program, investigating ways of reducing the accidental capture of other marine animals (bycatch), as well as creating a greater understanding of sharks that inhabit the inshore areas of Queensland. Fisheries Queensland conducts research into the effectiveness of the program.

Last updated: 17 January 2012