Shark Cull in New Caledonia Sparks Legal Battle and Public Outcry
In the wake of a fatal shark attack, authorities in New Caledonia have launched a controversial culling operation targeting tiger and bull sharks off the coast of Nouméa, the capital. This move has ignited fierce division and anger across the French Pacific territory, pitting public safety concerns against environmental conservation efforts.
Fatal Attack Triggers Immediate Response
The cull began on February 23, following the tragic death of a local man who was attacked while riding a wing foil in a popular recreational area. Preliminary investigations suggest the victim was mauled by a tiger shark measuring at least three metres in length. In response, swimming and water-based activities have been banned along a 300-metre coastal strip outside protected zones, with these restrictions set to remain until the culling campaign concludes on Wednesday.
Authorities Defend Cull as Necessary Protection
Nouméa's mayor, Sonia Lagarde, has staunchly defended the policy, preferring the term "regulation" over "cull." At a council meeting on February 25, she emphasised the increasing threat from large sharks approaching the coastline, areas heavily used by residents and tourists for swimming, boating, and water sports. Lagarde cited a sharp rise in shark sightings near shore as justification, arguing that alternative measures like permanent drone surveillance or additional exclusion nets are prohibitively expensive and technically complex for New Caledonia.
Environmentalists Launch Urgent Legal Challenge
On Monday, a court in Nouméa was due to consider an application from the marine conservation organisation Ensemble Pour La Planète (EPLP) to halt the cull. EPLP contends that no independent scientific studies prove culling reduces shark attack risks and notes that the targeted species are legally protected in local waters. This group previously succeeded in a 2023 court challenge against a similar cull, which was deemed "disproportionate" after capturing 127 sharks, mostly tiger sharks, following a series of attacks, including the fatal mauling of an Australian tourist.
Community Division and Indigenous Perspectives
The cull has deepened political and social rifts, especially with local elections approaching this month. The main pro-independence coalition has condemned the operation, advocating for non-lethal prevention measures such as enhanced surveillance and public information. Meanwhile, Indigenous Kanak groups, represented by civil society organisations like Nyiimié kââ, have protested the cull, highlighting their ancestral relationship with sharks. Aile Tikoure from the group, which includes many young people from Grande Terre, staged a demonstration outside Nouméa's city hall, asserting that sharks are considered ancestral species and calling for an immediate end to the cull.
Current Status and Ongoing Debate
Since the new cull commenced, authorities report capturing seven tiger sharks and one bull shark, with sharks under 2.1 metres in length being released. The operation continues to fuel heated debate over balancing human safety with marine conservation, as New Caledonia grapples with the sensitive issue of shark risk management in its coastal waters.
