Target: Anthony (Tony) Perrett, Minister for Primary Industries, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Goal: Immediately suspend shark nets during whale migration, rapidly replace them with non-lethal measures, and impose penalties on any parties allegedly responsible for this entanglement and similar incidents.
A mature humpback whale with a calf was reportedly found entangled in a shark net and then apparently dragged that net roughly 100 kilometres into waters recognized as the world’s first Whale Heritage Site. Local reports have allegedly tracked the pair within a key resting bay used by migrating humpbacks. Even if a disentanglement succeeds, experts warn that trauma and energy loss could reputedly jeopardize survival during the long southern migration.
Queensland’s shark control program reportedly deploys dozens of beach nets and hundreds of lethal drumlines year-round. Nets are not full barriers; they function like fishing gear and apparently catch non-target animals. Repeated whale entanglements are regularly reported during migration, with some cases allegedly involving calves that become trapped or separated.
Protecting public safety need not rely on equipment that reportedly entangles protected species. Proven non-lethal tools such as drones, tagged-shark alerting, smart drumlines, and seasonal removals can reduce risk while avoiding needless bycatch. This petition therefore urges an immediate suspension of shark nets during humpback migration, urgent transition to non-lethal methods, public release of an incident report, and enforcement of penalties wherever procedures were allegedly breached.
PETITION LETTER:
Minister Perrett,
We are deeply concerned by reports that a mother humpback with a calf was allegedly caught in a shark net and then apparently carried that net a long distance into waters internationally recognized for whale refuge. Such incidents purportedly inflict severe stress and can compromise a mother’s ability to complete migration and nurse a calf.
We respectfully urge immediate suspension of shark nets during the humpback migration period, coupled with rapid deployment of non-lethal alternatives including drone surveillance, real-time alerts, and modern deterrent technologies. Please publish a detailed incident report, including response timelines and equipment status, so the public understands what occurred and what corrective actions will follow.
We further request meaningful consequences wherever protocols were allegedly ignored or equipment management fell short, including contractor sanctions, fines, or referrals as appropriate. Visible action now will reportedly prevent future entanglements, protect iconic wildlife, and still uphold beach safety through evidence-based, non-lethal measures.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Charles J. Sharp
