A shark behaviour expert has criticised former prime minister Tony Abbott for calling for a shark cull after a woman was attacked at Coogee beach in Sydney. Emeritus Professor Rob Harcourt from Macquarie University said Mr Abbott 'doesn't understand the science' and that a cull would not reduce the risk of attacks.
Leah Stewart, 34, was bitten on the leg and arm by what is believed to be a great white shark on Saturday morning. Her family described her as a 'passionate teacher and Coogee local' whose injuries remain 'severe and life-threatening'. She has undergone multiple surgeries and remains in critical condition.
Mr Abbott said in a social media video that it was 'so wrong that we don't cull sharks after attacks' and called for a fishery to catch sharks. Professor Harcourt said such a move would be ineffective unless all white sharks were removed from the ocean, which is 'not feasible and would be an ecological catastrophe'.
Other experts suggested that using drones for aerial surveillance could be a more effective way to prevent bites. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority temporarily lifted a ban on using drones at Coogee, which is near Sydney airport. Surf Lifesaving NSW confirmed drones would be used across several beaches for the rest of the week.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns ruled out a cull, stating that the great white shark is a protected species and that there is no evidence a cull would work. He called for a 'rethink' of shark protection, including the use of new technology such as drones.
