Biggles of 266
1st Level Red Feather
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2001
- Messages
- 1,126
- Points
- 36
and THIS is why I don't swim in the canals...
Fatal shark attacks linked to drought
By Greg Roberts
February 10 2003
The deaths of two men from shark attacks in Gold Coast canals within the past seven weeks may be linked to the drought.
Tony Ham, the manager of Queensland's shark control program, said the canals are "teeming" with hundreds of bull sharks.
He said the drought meant less fresh water was running into the canals, making them saltier. This led to greater numbers of saltwater fish, followed by the sharks, entering the canals from the ocean and moving further upstream.
Bob Purcell, 84, a former Commonwealth Games lawn bowler, was attacked by what authorities believe was a bull shark on Saturday morning as he was swimming near his home in Burleigh Lake.
His body, with severe leg injuries, was found by two kayakers three hours after he was seen entering the canal.
The canal is one kilometre from another canal, Miami Lake, where Beau Martin, 23, died after being attacked by a shark during a late night swim on December 23.
Mr Ham said the bull shark was the main species responsible for attacks in sheltered estuarine habitats such as the canals and Sydney Harbour.
"The bull shark is very aggressive and so people need to
be aware of the danger that they pose," Mr Ham said.
He said that although bull sharks were relatively small - most are between just 1.5 and 2.5 metres - death could still occur by shock and loss of blood from bites.
Yesterday three bull sharks were caught in Burleigh Lake with a net and bait, but analysis of their stomach contents indicated they had not attacked Mr Purcell.
Resident Sandra Rofe said nets should be set regularly to make the water safer: "It's really scary. We swim here with the kids all the time."
Fatal shark attacks linked to drought
By Greg Roberts
February 10 2003
The deaths of two men from shark attacks in Gold Coast canals within the past seven weeks may be linked to the drought.
Tony Ham, the manager of Queensland's shark control program, said the canals are "teeming" with hundreds of bull sharks.
He said the drought meant less fresh water was running into the canals, making them saltier. This led to greater numbers of saltwater fish, followed by the sharks, entering the canals from the ocean and moving further upstream.
Bob Purcell, 84, a former Commonwealth Games lawn bowler, was attacked by what authorities believe was a bull shark on Saturday morning as he was swimming near his home in Burleigh Lake.
His body, with severe leg injuries, was found by two kayakers three hours after he was seen entering the canal.
The canal is one kilometre from another canal, Miami Lake, where Beau Martin, 23, died after being attacked by a shark during a late night swim on December 23.
Mr Ham said the bull shark was the main species responsible for attacks in sheltered estuarine habitats such as the canals and Sydney Harbour.
"The bull shark is very aggressive and so people need to
be aware of the danger that they pose," Mr Ham said.
He said that although bull sharks were relatively small - most are between just 1.5 and 2.5 metres - death could still occur by shock and loss of blood from bites.
Yesterday three bull sharks were caught in Burleigh Lake with a net and bait, but analysis of their stomach contents indicated they had not attacked Mr Purcell.
Resident Sandra Rofe said nets should be set regularly to make the water safer: "It's really scary. We swim here with the kids all the time."
Didn't see the movie Jaws?
