QUEENSLAND, Australia (1 Feb 2006) -- The Queensland Government said today it would not install a shark repellent device along the state's beaches because there is no scientific proof it works. Gold Coast man Bill Morrison said the Department of Fisheries had ignored his pleas to implement "Beach Barrier" technology along the state's coastline to help prevent shark attacks and stop marine life dying in shark nets. Beach Barrier is a series of buoys positioned behind the shore break. It repels sharks and provides something to grasp for swimmers swept out to sea, he said. South Australian company Seachange developed the shark repellent technology, which creates an electrical field that causes intense discomfort to the sea predators. "I'm not coming here to pick on the Queensland Government," said Mr Morrison, who launched his prototype device on the Gold Coast today. "I just want them to look at what we're doing because this is the solution to the shark netting problem. "People are getting attacked on our beaches. I know it's only happened once this summer but if everyone had a look at the reports in the paper there's sharks around here every day being chased out of the area." Last month, Sarah Whiley, 21, was fatally mauled by up to three bull sharks while scuba diving at Amity Point on North Stradbroke Island off Brisbane and scuba diver Bernie Williams survived a white pointer attack in Western Australia. Mr Williams credited a mate's electronic shark deterrent with saving his life. "The only reason those guys got back to the boat was because one of them had a shark shield unit on," Mr Morrison said. "I can assure you that shark would've torn all three of them to pieces, without doubt." But the department's shark safety program manager Baden Lane said that without scientific proof the system worked, the Queensland Government was not prepared to risk lives. | | Buy one Shark Shield and get one free bottle of Snake Oil cologne! HURRY--OFFER ENDS TODAY! Mr Lane said while the shark repellent technology had been around for 20 years, it was developed as a personal device to be used on surfboards and boats. He said the State Government had no proof the device could adequately replace shark nets in Queensland waters. "We have to base our decisions on facts and not emotion," Mr Lane said. "There's nothing there that would convince me or my colleagues that it provides broad scale protection to swimmers across the state. "On the known evidence, we don't think that it works." SOURCE - The Sunday TimesSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
