Reunion Island's Shark Success: A Model for Australia?

Reunion Island, once plagued by numerous shark attacks, has achieved a notable reduction in incidents since 2019. The French territory implemented a comprehensive strategy including the controversial culling of adult bull and tiger sharks using SMART drumlines, leading to zero recorded attacks in recent years. This approach is being examined by Australia as it faces its own challenges with shark safety following recent maulings.

In contrast to Reunion's lethal strategy, Australia's New South Wales government is considering a bull shark headcount and potential cull, though Premier Chris Minns has ruled out killing protected white sharks. Many scientists express skepticism about the effectiveness of culling, citing studies suggesting it does not significantly reduce attack rates. They advocate for non-lethal interventions such as SMART drumlines, where sharks are tagged and relocated, and drone surveillance.

Historically, both Australia and Reunion have exchanged shark mitigation technologies. While Queensland's traditional baited drumlines have resulted in the annual culling of approximately 130 bull sharks, recent data from KPMG suggests a potential correlation between increased shark catches and a decrease in incidents off Queensland. However, this correlation remains debated among experts.

While some older research suggested a link between lethal control and fewer attacks, more recent, large-scale studies and expert consensus point towards the difficulty in proving the efficacy of culling. The focus is increasingly shifting towards beach-scale, non-lethal mitigation techniques, though gathering definitive data on their long-term impact is a lengthy process.