Authorities in Western Australia will continue to seek ways to control shark attacks that have been responsible for five deaths in 10 months.
The latest death of a 24-year-old surfer at the weekend has reignited debate over whether great whites should remain a protected species.
Local marine scientists have described Australia’s west coast as the deadliest shark attack zone in the world.
State tourism leaders are concerned about the impact the attacks will have on visitor numbers, especially those heading to Western Australia for water-based activities.
Western Australia fisheries minister Norman Moore said he did not believe netting of popular swimming areas was the answer because the attacks in the last year had been many kilometres apart.
Federal environment minister Tony Burke has left the way open to removing white pointer sharks from the protected species list, backing efforts to find out whether the animal’s stocks are increasing.
by Ian Jarrett
