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(By Benjamin Strick and Nicholas Mctague – Bond University Journalism Students)
Varsity Lakes residents said they are concerned for the safety of their children swimming in canals after several bull shark sightings in the last few months.
The department of primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF website said the breading habits of bull sharks made them more active in canal systems during summer.
DPIF Shark control program manager Tony Ham said bull sharks travel far when they breed and are frequently found in backyard canals.
Local resident Janette Gouldman said she was concerned about bull sharks because her two sons swim in the canal her property backed onto.
“They especially like to swim during summer,” Ms Gouldman said.
“It’s horrible to think that they would be splashing around in the water and there could be a big shark only meters away from them,” she said
Another resident Derek Pike said when fishing at Lake Orr, sharks had taken his line on several occasions.
“Sometimes I just throw out a line and in 15 minutes I have to restring it again because a shark has taken the entire thing,” Mr Pike said.
“I only try and catch the small canal fish so I don’t use a thick line but there are some who go out there with the purpose of catching bull sharks and often they are quite successful.
“There have been stories of people catching bull sharks and often they are quite successful
“There have been stories of people catching up to 12 sharks in one month just buy using hand lines.”
A DPIF press release recommended people not to swim in silt-laden or murky waters.
It also recommended people not to swim at dusk or at night and not to swim in or around the mouth of the rivers, canals and lakes
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