Scared residents slam fishermen for releasing huge sharks just metres away from swimmers at popular beach - and there's NOTHING authorities can do to stop them
- A group of teenage boys are capturing and releasing sharks near a family beach
- Residents at Queens Beach, north of Brisbane, saw sharks up to four metres long
- There are currently no rules limiting where sharks can be fished or released
Queensland beach users say they are scared to get in the water due to sharks that are being caught and released by local fishermen near popular swimming spots.
Residents say that young fisherman are tagging and releasing hammerheads and bull sharks at Queens Beach, north of Brisbane and there is no legal restriction on them doing so.
Young men can be found catching sharks on most days according to beachfront resident Patrick Dadis, with fish of three-to-four metres in length being released.
Residents of Queens Beach (pictured), Queensland, are concerned that young fisherman are capturing massive sharks and releasing them just metres from local swimmers
Mr Dadis told the Courier Mail that he had seen the group catch a three-metre-long hammerhead and release it next to a family beach.
'Everyone knows sharks are in the water but you're not expecting the kids to be fishing with pigs blood and the next minute they're bringing in three or four metre bullsharks and hammerheads,' Mr Dadis said.
He also described that witnessing the practice had made him and his fiance feel 'edgy' about swimming with their three-month-old son.
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The beach is popular with elderly swimmers and families with young children, making the possibility of a shark attack an even greater risk.
A Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) spokesman said 'a number' of complaints had been received in relation to shark fishing in the area.
The spokesperson noted that these activities were not illegal even if they occurred in close proximity to other swimmers.
'Currently there are no rules to limit the locations where recreational fishers can target shark. However, Fisheries Queensland encourages recreational fishers to consider the safety of all waterway users,' he said.
The spokesperson also emphasised that shark attacks are an uncommon occurrence.
'While there is always the possibility of sharks in the water at our beaches, the probability of a shark bite is extremely low,' he said.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said there are no limits on shark fishing but that recreational fishers were encouraged to consider the safety of all (file image)
