Only the ‘political class’ talks about killing sharks: Expert

According to a recent study, NSW residents are against shark culling. More than 70 experts will come together for a summit at Sydney's Taronga Zoo and discuss shark attack mitigation measures at the summit to be inaugurated by Premier Mike Baird.

According to a research at the University of Sydney, more than 80 per cent of residents in the Ballina region are against killing sharks as a response to shark attacks.

“A majority of Ballina residents want the government to educate the public about human-shark encounters, invest in non-lethal technology and back more research into human-shark encounters,” Sky News quoted Head of the research study Dr Christopher Neff as saying.

Dr Neff added the only people advocating killing sharks belonged to the “political class.” The public is aware there are better alternatives than killing the sharks, he said.

According to Ballina Mayor David Wright, the community is banking on the summit to produce some solid recommendations. "We've had the committees, there is an Upper House committee that is looking at this as well but this is all the scientists," ABC quoted Wright as saying. “If they can't come up with solutions with the top people there, there won't be solutions.”

Niall Blair said the summit would help having a science-based approach to the shark problem. The minister for Primary Industries, Lands and Water said it was important to understand the conditions which might be leading to more shark attacks. He said NSW would leave “no stone unturned” to try options.

The summit is going to take place on Sept. 29. There has recently been a rise in shark attacks in NSW in 2015. A Japanese surfer was fatally attacked at Ballina in February.

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