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Catch-alert drumlines (CADs) are effective in reducing at-vessel mortality of targeted and non-targeted shark species in the Queensland Shark Control Program
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Catch-alert drumlines (CADs) are effective in reducing at-vessel mortality of targeted and non-targeted shark species in the Queensland Shark Control Program

Dylan C Baker, Ana Barbosa Martins, Matthew McLean, Tracey Scott-Holland, Matthew Campbell, Paul A Butcher and Andrew Chin
Marine Ecology Progress series , Vol.793, pp.1-12
03/09/2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps15204
Appears in  Recent Faculty of Science and Engineering Publications

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Abstract

sharks conservation bather protection Bayesian networks mortality
The Queensland Shark Control Program (QSCP) is a bather-protection initiative aiming to reduce the risk of shark bites at popular Queensland beaches on the east coast of Australia. Historically, the program has used baited drumlines and large-mesh nets to catch potentially dangerous sharks and relocate or euthanize them. The use of non-selective fishing gears, combined with soak times of up to 3 d, has resulted in 95% at-vessel mortality (AVM) of target and non-target animals. Given the conservation status of sharks globally, trialing methods that protect bathers while ensuring the survival of individuals caught in QSCP gear is critical. Catch-alert drumlines (CADs), also known as shark management alert in real time (SMART) drumlines, which use real-time alerts to minimize hook time, have developed as an alternative to traditional drumlines, ensuring faster release and improved survival rates of hooked sharks and other animals. We assessed the effect of CADs and a range of environmental factors on the AVM of 3 commonly caught shark species (i.e. bull sharks, pigeye sharks, and tiger sharks) in central Queensland. The results indicate that AVM increased with hook time and decreased with shark total length. Additionally, CADs reduced the AVM of bull and pigeye sharks by ~60%, compared to those caught on modified traditional drumlines. While successful at reducing AVM, future deployed CADs should have improved activation mechanisms to reduce the current failure rate of 40%, which is caused by the high frequency of catching smaller-bodied individuals in the study area.

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