Application to continue the Queensland shark control program permit to operate in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Overview

The Queensland shark control program, established in 1962, has been instrumental in mitigating the risk of shark attacks at popular beaches along Queensland’s east coast within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The program, which has successfully prevented any fatalities from shark attacks on protected beaches, involves deploying shark control apparatus at several key locations. The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has applied to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Department of National Parks, Sport and Recreation for continued operation of this program, highlighting its effectiveness in ensuring public safety. This public notice invites interested parties to provide written comments on the program by 30 November 2015, with submissions to be directed to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. The authority will consider all public feedback before making a decision on the application.

Scope and Application

The Queensland shark control program (the Program) permit application, as detailed in the public notice, is made by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and the Department of National Parks, Sport and Recreation. The Program seeks permission to continue deploying shark control apparatus at several popular beaches in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, specifically in the Cairns/Cooktown, Townsville/Whitsunday, and Mackay/Capricorn Management Areas. These locations include beaches at Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Capricorn Coast, and Tannum Sands. The primary aim of the Program is to reduce the risk of shark attacks, with notable success evidenced by no fatalities from shark attacks on protected beaches within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park since the Program began in 1962. The application extends to interested persons who may be affected by the deployment of the shark control apparatus, inviting them to submit written comments by 30 November 2015. This public notice does not indicate approval of the project, and all comments will be considered before any decisions are made by GBRMPA.

Key Provisions

The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) has submitted an application to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and the Department of National Parks, Sport and Recreation, seeking permission to continue the Queensland Shark Control Program (the Program) in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (sections 1 and 2). This application pertains to the ongoing deployment of shark control apparatus at several popular beaches within the Cairns/Cooktown, Townsville/Whitsunday, and Mackay/Capricorn Management Areas of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The Program, which has been operational since 1962, aims to mitigate the risk of shark attacks, with a notable achievement being the absence of fatalities from shark attacks on protected beaches within the Marine Park since the Program's inception. The Program's operations extend to various beaches along Queensland's east coast, including Ellis, Buchans, Clifton, and Trinity Beaches in Cairns; Pallarenda Beach, Picnic, Nelly, Alma, Florence, Radical, and Horseshoe Bays in Townsville and Magnetic Island; Bucasia, Eimeo, and Blacks Beaches in Mackay; Farnborough, Yeppoon, Lammermoor, Kemp, Mullambin, Fisherman’s Beaches, Emu Park, Tanby Point, and Cooee Bay on the Capricorn Coast; and Tannum Sands in Gladstone. The GBRMPA invites interested parties to review the Program's details, which are accessible on their website or through the DAF, and to submit written comments by 30 November 2015 if they believe the Program will restrict their reasonable use of the Marine Park. Parties who believe the Program may impact their use of the Marine Park are encouraged to provide feedback to the GBRMPA by the specified deadline. This feedback can be sent to the GBRMPA's Environmental Assessment and Protection Unit or emailed to QSCP@gbrmpa.gov.au. The GBRMPA emphasises that comments will not be treated as confidential unless explicitly requested as such, and this notice does not indicate approval of the Program. All public comments will be thoroughly considered before any decision is made regarding the application. The legislation imposes specific obligations on the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to provide detailed information about the Program to the GBRMPA and the Department of National Parks, Sport and Recreation, as well as to invite public feedback on the Program. This transparency ensures that all stakeholders have the opportunity to voice their concerns and suggestions regarding the ongoing deployment of shark control apparatus. The GBRMPA, in turn, is required to consider all public comments before making any decision regarding the Program's continuation. This process underscores the commitment to balance public safety with the reasonable use of the Marine Park. There are no specific offences, penalties, or consequences outlined in the notice for breaches of the application process or the Program's requirements. However, any operational discrepancies or non-compliance with the regulations governing the Program could lead to enforcement actions under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 1983 and the Marine Park Regulations 2006 (Qld), which could include fines or other regulatory measures. The exact penalties for any breaches would depend on the nature and severity of the non-compliance.