Anglers warned after photo of sliced up bull shark causes a stir: 'So upsetting'

Wildlife authorities are again urging anglers to fish responsibly, after a half-filleted shark carcass was found at at major Aussie tourist hotspot on the weekend. Those who enjoy fishing have been reminded that leaving an unwanted catch by the water's edge, or anywhere near where people swim, can attract "a large number of sharks" and risk public safety.

The warning comes after a concerned Noosa local took to social media to blast the person responsible for discarding a cut up bull shark, criticising them for leaving behind so much meat on the frame. Sparking backlash online, many residents argued the scene was both "wasteful" and "dangerous".

"Not cool!" the local said of the find at Hilton Esplanade, along the Noosa River on the Sunshine Coast.

Weighing in, a spokesperson for the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries encouraged all in the area to adhere to proper procedure. "While it’s not an offence under fisheries legislation, Fisheries Queensland is urging fishers to think of others when disposing of frames," they told Yahoo News Australia.

"Only fish for sharks away from swimmers and other waterway users. Fishing for sharks near people on and in the water can put others at risk. Don't throw your scraps, fish frames or leftover bait in the water unless you're far away from where people swim.

"Dispose of your scraps and rubbish in a bin on land," they added.

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Australians urged to practice responsible fishing

The department also warned against scattering bait on the water to attract sharks in spots where people swim. "This can attract a large number of sharks, which can be dangerous for other waterway users. Sharks can be caught effectively with the correct rig and baits," they said.

Australians were reminded that when catching sharks larger than 150cm, "set it free by cutting off the trace/line". "If you catch a shark smaller than 150cm, handle it with a wet towel," the department said.

Online, Australians appeared torn over whether the fisher responsible for the catch had been wasteful. "That’s so upsetting," one person said. "A lot of wasted meat on that," another agreed. "Just a complete waste of good shark meat there, enough to feed a few families," argued a third. "That's just cruel," somebody else said of the carved up animal.

Meanwhile others said they believed there was nothing wrong with the scene.

"What's the issue here? Other than possibly missing some flesh off the fillet — it's a bull shark under 1.5m so you can legally keep it. There are thousands of bull sharks in the Noosa River, more people need to take one here and there, it would be like someone taking a legal flathead or bream home to eat," one local said.

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