Great white shark 'protected' status questioned after fatal attack off Australia

Surfers said they had noticed a large shark in the vicinity in the previous few days and nicknamed it "Brutus" due to its large size.

Yet they carried on surfing, and there was no increase in warnings?

"While it's still a rare occurrence, the ocean is the domain of the shark and we go there with a risk always," [Moore] said at the time.

Precisely.

And yet:

"We have allocated some $14 million extra to get a better understanding of the great white sharks and the reasons why the fatalities are occurring," [Moore] told reporters.

Might that money not be better spent elsewhere, rather than investigating a beast which is preventing humans from, engaging in a water sport?

You don't want to be eaten? Stay out of the shark's kitchen.

You are a thousand times more likely to be struck by lightening than killed by a shark. These Great Bite sharks are magnificent and should remain protected. I had a close encounter with a 4m great white 20 odd years ago surfing in southern Australia. Didn't stop me surfing though. It is more dangerous driving to the beach. Leave the sharks alone!

Let the shark finning begin woohoo. I'm dieing for some soup!

Great white shark 'protected' status questioned after fatal attack off Australia......................................

let's " waste " them all. What kind of logic is that ?

This is one of my favourite surf spots, and were it not for a surfing related knee injury I have at present, it's highly likely I would have been in the water at Wedge yesterday. I've been surfing for nearly 30 years in Western Australia, it's my deep love and one true passion - and for the most part sharks are something you accept as being present but unless you are very, very unlucky you will never have to worry about. But that has changed now. 5 deaths in 10 months and more close call stories than you would believe; not just from surfers, but from ski paddlers, fishermen, divers etc. Great White numbers seems to have increased dramatically in the last few years, and for the first time in my life, I'm nervous in the water. A post script to this story is that a shark has cleared the water again at Wedge today, and they believe it to be the same one.

How terrible for this surfer.

However, it is important that the protection of the species be decided as required or not, not because of sharks killing a person. oberst is totally correct.

But I do wonder what Australia would do if they decide their shark is not the species for protection.

But I do wonder what Australia would do if they decide their shark is not the species for protection.

I honestly don't think that will happen. People who spend a lot of time around the ocean understand it is the domain of sharks and if you choose to recreate in it there is a certain amount of personal risk involved. The risk just seems a bit more pronounced these days.

Super! Thumbs up to Tamarama for using the word "recreate" in what I assume to be its correct, yet rarely-seen, verb form!

I shall use it like that from now on:

What are you doing tomorrow, Maria? They will ask.

Well, I shall answer Them, since it's a national holiday, I might just go and recreate with some friends in the park. If the weather's nice, that is. Otherwise, we'll have to withdraw to a public house, and recreate there, over a nice bottle of wine.

If that BB was 5 metres then how come the shark plane didn't see him? That sucks so maybe the money should be spent on more planes or at least more flights.

Sad the lad lost his life, but if you play in those waters, you're playing with your life.

Surfers said they had noticed a large shark in the vicinity in the previous few days and nicknamed it “Brutus” due to its large size...Local marine scientists have described Australia’s west coast as the deadliest shark attack zone in the world and Western Australia Fisheries Minister Norman Moore expressed concern at the trend of fatalities.

Surfers said they had noticed a large shark in the vicinity in the previous few days and nicknamed it “Brutus” due to its large size.

They knew the risks and they the continue to take it. Getting rid of "protected" status over a handful of attacks would be wrong and dangerous. As it is, sharks are culled and abused world wide. Keep messing up the ecosystem and we'll all pay the price.

My heart goes out to this guy's family and friends but people who surf, dive... KNOW the risks and accept them. This guy died doing what he loved. Tragic yes but many other worse ways to go.

Besides, how many people in the are have been killed in traffic accidents? No debate about continuing to drive, right?

Thank you, Maria.

I love to recreate.

Playing in the ocean has a ton of risks. One could step on a poisonous snail, anemone, get stung by a jellyfish, or even a poison spined fish. No point in taking it out on the sharks unless they start developing a taste for human flesh. Last I heard they only chase after things that look like seals.