Message to whales loud and clear - ping off!

There have been promising results from 'pingers' with a significant reduction in the number of whales getting tangled in shark nets, Fisheries Minister Craig Wallace said.

Mr Wallace said whale entanglements had dropped from six in 2009 to one in 2011 following the introduction of the acoustic alarms in 2010.

"Shark nets are there to protect human lives but we also need to look after other animals such as whales, and these early results indicate pingers are helping do that," Mr Wallace said.

"Pingers give off a unique signal known to be audible to whales which lets them know there is a net nearby.

"In any migration season, there are up to 13,000 whales moving along the Queensland coast and there was just one entanglement each year in 2010 and 2011, with both whales successfully released.

"Results from the last two years of whale migration seasons are extremely promising and indicate pingers are helping to warn whales about the presence of the nets.

"The introduction of pingers means we can keep protecting swimmers through the shark nets and help prevent whale entanglements.

"An additional 40 devices were recently installed along the Queensland coastline, taking the total number of pingers from the Gold Coast to Cairns to 130.

"Four pingers are used on each net with pingers fitted to shark nets from during whale migration season, while dolphin alarms are in place year round.

"200 dolphin alarms, marine animal release teams, surfcams and the volunteer whale observer program are also part of the program to reduce entanglements.

"Volunteers from Maritime Safety Queensland's Boating and Fisheries Patrol and Seaworld come together each whale migration season to make up the state's marine animal release teams that patrol all nets off our beaches."

Other strategies in place to reduce the number of animals entangled include:

• Using drumlines instead of nets when possible.
• Positioning vessels between the whales and the equipment during the humpback whale migration season (June to November);
• Fitting nets with pingers to warn whales and dolphins of the presence of the nets;
• Fitting deflectors on drumline hooks at certain locations which reduce the number of turtles captured;
• Using alternative baits which reduce dolphin and turtle captures.

To report marine animals entangled in shark control equipment call the shark control hotline on 1800 806 891.

Main Roads, Fisheries and Marine Infrastructure
The Honourable Craig Wallace
19/01/2012
Message to whales loud and clear - ping off!

Permanent Link: Message to whales loud and clear - ping off!
Publish Date: 19 Jan 12

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