Target: Anthony Perrett, Minister of New South Wales Department of Primary Industries
Goal: Strengthen and expand use of non-lethal shark-spotting technologies.
Australia has discovered an innovative means of deterring deadly shark attacks while protecting marine wildlife. A massive study found that drones could detect the presence of sharks near shorelines at roughly twice the level of other means like nets and drum lines. The latter measures have been known to pose a deadly risk not only to sharks but to other animals swimming in the ocean, like whales, dolphins, and turtles.
In the wake of the study, officials have announced plans to expand the use of drones to many more beaches in the Queensland area. While this is a promising development, there is a catch…or a by-catch. The government still has no plans to phase out the aforementioned devices that had ensnared dozens of other animals during the study trial period alone.
Sign the petition below to demand these leaders fully commit to and invest in technologies that will spare both human and marine lives.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Minister Perrett,
The expansion of Queensland’s shark-spotting drones was a well-advised decision considering the trial program’s proven record of tracking twice the number of sharks as traditional means. But the announcement that said traditional means would still remain in place is ill-advised at best. Statistics have consistently born out that nets have almost no effect on unprovoked shark interactions. Worse yet, these devices captured and often killed at least 123 by-catch within the drone trial period.
Efforts can and should be directed toward combining drone technology with other advanced non-lethal methods such as smart drum lines that tag and then release marine animals. Please rethink your approach and give this innovative program the chance to preserve all forms of life.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Pixabay
