Queensland: 578 sharks caught in control program to protect beaches

The largest was a 5.3m Tiger shark taken at Lamberts Beach Mackay last September.

Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin, who released the figures last week, said: "The five largest sharks caught in 2008 were:

• A 5.3m and a 4.2m Tiger shark in Mackay

• A 4.9m Tiger shark on the Capricorn Coast (Emu Park)

• A 4.5m Tiger shark at Rainbow Beach (near Gympie)

• A 4.2m tiger shark in Cairns

"Any size shark can cause serious injury or death if they attack, however, sharks more than 2m in length are particularly dangerous and are more likely to cause fatal injuries.

"Of the sharks caught in 2008, 260 were more than 2m in length - 4 more than in the previous year.

"A wetter start to 2008 and some ongoing rain has probably been the most likely reason for the increase in shark movement and catch.

"We would expect that the rain and warmer weather in recent weeks in south-east Queensland will see a further increase in shark movement, particularly for bull sharks," Mr Mulherin said.

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Shark Control Program manager Tony Ham said: "Townsville recorded the highest shark catch with 99 sharks caught in shark control equipment in 2008, this was closely followed by the Sun shine Coast where 79 sharks were taken.

"Shark control equipment is in place off 85 Queensland beaches and includes nets and drumlines which are designed to attract and capture large and dangerous shark species in a particular area.

"In Queensland, the shark control program offers swimmers additional safety. While the program does not offer an impenetrable barrier between bathers and sharks, the shark control equipment is in place to remove large sharks from popular beaches," Mr Ham said.