Rock lobster pots removed from Granites beach despite 'no evidence' of shark risk mitigation
Following the death of 28-year-old Lance Appleby, who was taken by a shark at Granites in January, the local council and Surf Life Saving South Australia (SLSSA) released a report with 28 recommendations for shark mitigation.
Among the community's concerns was that activities such as rock lobster fishing could be "conditioning" sharks to associate humans with species that form part of their diet.
Streaky Bay community members subsequently called for the removal of lobster pots from surf breaks, which the SA government brought into effect last week out of respect for community sentiment.
However, the decision has drawn opposition from fishers who say there is no scientific evidence that removing lobster pots will reduce the risk of shark attacks for surfers at the beach.
The SA government also acknowledged there was "no evidence that this is effective as shark mitigation" in its statement announcing the decision, adding that the exclusion site for rock lobster pots at Granites was not being considered for any other location.
South Australian Northern Zone Rock Lobster Association executive officer Kyri Toumazos said fishers' fundamental concern was that the actual risks from shark attacks were not being mitigated.
While less than ten rock lobster fishers, mostly recreational, would be directly impacted by the exclusion zone around Granites, Mr Toumazos was concerned what kind of precedent would be set by a government policy that was made without scientific evidence.
"Obviously it impacts those fishers involved, although it's not many fishers, but there's a concern that this could be something that happens more often," he said.
"Our fundamental concern for this decision, with no scientific backing … is to see it actually be rolled out in other areas.
"That's our fundamental concern that it goes across the board … [to] all sectors, not just the rock lobster sector."
The toxic algal bloom that has wreaked havoc on parts of the state's coast has so far not spread to the Streaky Bay area.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) implemented the 12-month closure on July 25 for the immediate area around Granites, prohibiting the setting of commercial and recreational rock lobster pots.
The rock lobster season does not begin until November.
Streaky Bay Mayor Travis Barber acknowledged the removal of the pots from the popular surf break was "not going to be a silver bullet, but anything helps".
"This was a really community-led thing from the Mid-West Coast Surf Riders Association. They came to council with a proposal, which we supported," he said.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Claire Scriven said the state government had acted on calls from the community in the aftermath of January's fatal attack.
"I visited Streaky Bay in the weeks that followed the tragic loss of surfer Lance Appleby and the community sentiment about the immediate area around Granites was understandably very strong," Ms Scriven said.
"We have taken this measure out of respect and recognition of the tragedy that occurred."
Mr Barber said the Shark Task Force had been set up prior to Mr Appleby's tragic death — the second person to be taken by a shark at Granites since October 2023.
After deliberating for about 12 months the mayor said he was pleased to see progress being made towards implementing the recommendations of the shark mitigation report.
"They came up with the 28 recommendations … since the unfortunate tragedy of Lance. I've been hot on it with the council and community groups," Mr Barber said.
"It's August and we've already had four things put in place. So I can't thank the government and the minister enough for how fast they've acted."
Previous community-led mitigation efforts had included cardboard warning signs at beaches, a $24 air horn and a flag pole system to alert beachgoers of shark sightings.
Other changes to soon take effect will include drones for shark surveillance purposes and a new rescue boat for the Streaky Bay SES.
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