DIVE PACIFIC 178 Sept-Nov 2021

Wakatobi fixes ‘eyes on horizon’
SOUNDINGS
LOCAL & INTERNATIONAL
While awaiting the return of
guests to the resort, Wakatobi is
keeping ‘our eyes on the horizon,’
and staying busy, maintaining
reef patrols, and ensuring all
staff get the jab against Covid-19.
And recording the entire process
on video to share with local
media and post online.
By mid-August, 95% of Wakatobi
staff had received at least one
dose of the vaccine.
Reefs teeming with life
Dive sites made unavailable
for many years to allow for
growth and regeneration have
now returned to near-pristine
status with fish life abundant,
and Wakatobi’s dive boat fleet is
ready to set sail as soon as guests
arrive.
Guests getting ready
Many guests are making plans to
visit though no date has yet been
set for the resort’s re-opening.
Photo by Didi Lotze
Many guests have stayed in
touch over throughout the
Covid months, which makes the
Wakatobi team very happy: “We
love hearing from you, and can’t
wait to tell you “we’re open,”
Wakatobi will reopen as soon
as possible, and their team is
looking forward to seeing beloved
guests and friends once again.
Queensland Govt kills four dolphins
The first major update to the Shark Culling
Impact Tracker has revealed the State’s lethal
shark nets and drumlines captured 139 marine
animals along the Queensland coast in two months
since May this year. 85 of them died.
The Tracker was developed by Humane Society
International Australia (HSIA) and the Australian
Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) to spotlight
the appalling government implemented shark
killing practices.
In the Tracker’s first two months of operation five
dolphins were caught, four of which were killed.
A further 11 sea turtles, nine rays, and 114 sharks
were caught in the nets and drumlines. Three
turtles and three rays died, while 75 sharks were
killed. About half the sharks caught since 2001 by
this barbarous practice pose little risk to humans
since they are not aggressive species.
Though installed ostensibly to keep swimmers
safe, the nets and drumlines provide a false sense
of security. In 2019 the State’s Administrative
Appeals Tribunal found them ineffective for
protecting swimmers from sharks. It reported
shark culling had no impact on the risk of shark
bite.
Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and
Fisheries has now begun to trial non-lethal alternatives
with the expansion of drone trials to Far
North Queensland after successes in Southern
Queensland.
Lawrence Chlebeck, a marine biologist for Humane
Society International Australia, said, “We want to
show everyone exactly what it costs to keep using these
ineffective shark control measures. Even if an animal
doesn’t die when it’s caught in a net or on a lethal
drumline, they suffer immensely. Just because they are
released, doesn’t mean they survive.”
Dr Leonardo Guida, a shark scientist for the
Australian Marine Conservation Society, said: “The
sooner the Queensland Government transitions to fully
non-lethal strategy the better it’ll be for beach-goers
and the ocean alike.”
For more visit:
www.sharkchampions.org.au
www.dive-pacific.com 43