Bob Katter calls for shark culling after horror attack leaves Cairns spearfisherman dead
A man killed by a shark while spearfishing has been named, as firebrand MP Bob Katter made a huge call about about the species just a week after another fatal mauling.
A Cairns fisherman who suffered fatal head injuries during a shark attack in Far North Queensland has been identified.
Michael Jensz, 39, was spearfishing at Kennedy Shoal, about 40km offshore from Mission Beach and Caldwell, when he was attacked by a suspected bull shark about midday on Sunday.
The Cairns Post reported Mr Jensz returned to one of his favourite fishing spots near Tully, his former hometown, and was with friends when the attack occurred.
Cairns fisherman Michael Jensz, 39, was fatally attacked by a shark at Kennedy Shoal Reef off the coast of Hull Heads. Picture: Supplied
He was rushed by boat to the Hull River Heads boat ramp near Tully Heads where paramedics were waiting for him, but died from his injuries a short time later.
It came just a week after father of two Steven ‘Mattas’ Mattaboni was killed by a great white shark near Rottnest Island off the coast of Western Australia.
In a statement posted to social media hours after the Queensland tragedy, Bob Katter signalled his intent to use the next parliamentary sitting period to advocate for controlled animal kills.
Bob Katter has advocated for the culling of sharks after the incident which took place in Far North Queensland on the weekend. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman.
“This is a completely heartbreaking tragedy, and all North Queensland mourns with this family tonight,” the Kennedy MP said.
“We understand there (needs to be) more clarity over the coming days about what eventuated, but locals have been raising concerns about the exploding shark populations, particularly bull sharks, which are completely out of control, for years.
“Gererd Pike, a local charter boat operator, was out there on a fishing charter today and told me that as they were reeling in a Spanish mackerel, he had six bull sharks fighting over it. So much for them being a so-called endangered species.”
Mr Katter accused “people sitting in cushy airconditioned offices in Brisbane and Canberra” of thinking “they know better than the people who live and work in these waters”.
“But every time we raise safer waterways, we are lectured by public servants and activists who have never spent five minutes in the water north of Mackay,” he said.
“When did human beings become less important than sharks?”
The man was treated by paramedics at the Hull River Boat Ramp but couldn’t be saved. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell
Speaking to the Courier Mail on Sunday, Mr Pike said he had been with a group “not far” from Kennedy Shoal
“The sharks were vicious today,” he said.
“We watched a group of six of them tear a Spanish mackerel apart only about 4m from our boat.”
Marine biology professor and Australian Coral Reef Society president Jodie Rummer said “any fatal shark-human interaction is devastating”, but culling the animals would not address their growing presence in areas frequented by people.
Professor Rummer said there was no “scientifically robust” justification for culling, which would only harm marine ecosystems without reliably improving human safety.
“Bull sharks are not behaving abnormally when they occur near the shore – that is their habitat,” she said.
“The focus should be on risk reduction, not fear or retaliation. Protecting people and protecting sharks are not opposing goals, good science helps us do both.
“Sharks follow food, not politics. Sorry, Katter.”
Bull Sharks are known to frequent coral shoals, river mouths and other areas which often draw the attention of swimmers and recreational fishing enthusiasts. Picture: supplied
According to the RSPCA, the recent increase in shark incidents is not because of increasing shark numbers, but rather because the animals are becoming more familiar with patterns of recreational and commercial fishing vessels, which often lead them directly to food.
“The RSPCA does not support killing sharks as a response to shark incidents involving humans. This approach causes unnecessary suffering to both target and non-target species,” a spokesman said.
“Although the number of reported shark bites has increased, the fatality rate has decreased due to improved medical response, greater public knowledge of basic first aid and resuscitation, and increased education about shark incidents.
“Fatalities usually occur at remote beaches or where medical assistance may be delayed.”
Source: https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/bob-katter-calls-for-shark-culling-after-horror-attack-leaves-cairns-spearfisherman-dead/news-story/56ecba20db4aacb882e84930e8df0d33
