Swimming at Cid Harbour to be banned after three shark attacks
Swimming at Cid Harbour will be banned as part of a five-point plan to prevent shark attacks in the Whitsundays.
The measures were formed at an emergency summit, but there will be no drum lines to catch and kill sharks.
With a looming tourism crisis, a summit was to find a solution after three recent shark attacks, one fatal.
More than 20 community leaders, local operators and experts gathered in Airlie Beach to discuss how to prevent more.
Opinions were mixed on the best course of action, but for now awareness rather than intervention is the government’s plan.
Among the steps announced, $250,000 will be committed to research into shark numbers.
There will be increased education and signage on marinas and in the water, and Cid Harbour will remain a no-swim zone.
The plan has the support of charter boat operators who are feeling the tragedy more than most.
All victims were on self-skippered sailing trips.
But some operators want drum lines back.
The Opposition remains firm on calls for them in the Whitsundays, saying if it’s good enough for the rest of Queensland, why not here?
Despite the controversy, the message to tourists is that the Whitsundays is ready to welcome them.
