Swimmers urged to avoid shark control equipment
As the weather warms up and people flock to beaches, Maritime Safety Queensland General Manager Patrick Quirk has reminded swimmers to keep a safe distance from shark nets and drum lines.
“Anyone in the water should make sure they are a few hundred metres away from the shark control equipment,” Mr Quirk said.
“If people get too close to the equipment they could be injured by the hooks, come into contact with live sharks or become entangled in the nets."
“We occasionally hear reports of swimmers using the drum lines as markers and swimming up to and around them before heading back to shore."
“We also receive reports of wind surfers, kite surfers, jet or water skiers trying to jump over shark nets.”
Mr Quirk urged people to look out for and steer clear of the equipment.
“Drum lines are large baited hooks attached to a bright yellow surface float, positioned about 400 metres offshore,” Mr Quirk said.
“Shark nets have white surface floats as well as yellow ones attached to them at either end and are also positioned about 400 metres offshore.
"Approaching the shark control equipment can be dangerous and have unintentional consequences, so we do encourage people to stay away.”
Shark control program equipment is in place off 85 Queensland beaches.
Beaches protected by shark control equipment may have either drum lines or nets in place, or a combination of both.
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