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A Tool for Formal Advocacy
Advocating on this issue can be frustrating. Responses from government departments are often slow, dismissive, or templated. But formal complaints are harder to ignore — they trigger a managed process with deadlines, tracking, and escalation options.
This tool is designed to help you lodge a formal complaint that cuts through the noise.
Whether you use our templates or write your own, specificity is key.
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Choose a topic below that matters to you.
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Go to the Queensland Government complaints page.
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Select "Complaints and Compliments", then choose "Complaint".
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Fill in the fields using the information provided under your chosen topic.
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Submit — and help us push for meaningful change.
💡 Tip: The more specific your complaint, the more likely it is to be read and responded to meaningfully.
Choose a Complaint Topic
Below are specific issues related to Queensland’s shark control program that you can formally complain about. Each includes background info and guidance on how to frame your message.
The more precise and focused your complaint, the harder it is to ignore.
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STATE-FUNDED SHARK CULLINGQueensland and New South Wales state legislation allows their respective Fisheries departments to operate a shark mitigation program that uses deadly force to reduce shark populations through the use of both shark nets and catch-and-kill drumlines. These devices are fishing apparatus designed to catch and kill. Their use is legislated under Fisheries legislation, and interfering with the equipment is punishable under the Fisheries Act. Public-facing Government communications avoid this fishing reference, but internal and legal references to this program acknowledge that it is a fishing program. It is designed to selectively slaughter a wild animal, also known as culling.
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CULLING METHODSA 'shark net' is between 150m long (New South Wales) and 183m long (Queensland), 6m deep, and set in 12m deep water. They are often used to "protect" beaches that are many kilometers long. These nets are designed to entangle and kill animals. They are not a barrier, they do not enclose an area. A 'drumline' is a baited shark fishing-hook, hanging from a bouy, that aims to attract and catch sharks. 'Traditional drumlines', also known as lethal drumlines, or catch-and-kill drumlines, are designed to hook and kill animals. Both are set approx 500m from shore, and neither prevents sharks from swimming over, under or around them. As just two examples, there are a total of 2.01km of shark nets used to "protect" the 30km+ of Gold Coast beaches (11 nets x 183m each). These nets do not go more than half-way to the bottom in Queensland. Bondi Beach spans approximately 1km and is "protected" by one 150m net. These nets do not go more than half-way to the surface in New South Wales.
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTA peer-reviewed study conducted using Queensland Shark Control Program data found substantial declines (74–92%) of catch per unit effort of hammerhead (Sphyrnidae), whaler (Carcharhinidae), tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) and white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias). Following the onset of the Shark Control Program program in the 1960s, catch rates in new installations in subsequent decades occurred at a substantially lower rate, indicating regional depletion of shark populations over the past half a century (Roff et al, 2018).
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FALSE SENSE OF SECURITYThe outcome of Humane Society International (Australia) Inc v Department of Agriculture & Fisheries (Qld) AATA Case proved "overwhelmingly" that mesh nets and catch-and-kill drumlines used by these programs do not make any impact on safety, negatively impact on the marine ecosystem, and provide beachgoers with a false sense of security. They ruled that these methods must cease to be used within the bounds of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The 'Shark mitigation and deterrent measures' Senate Inquiry (2017) also found substantial evidence that shark nets and catch-and-kill drumlines (used by the Queensland Shark Control Program and NSW Shark Meshing and Bather Protection Program to cull sharks) do not make any positive impact on safety, negatively impact the marine ecosystem, and provide beach goers with a false sense of security. They recommended these methods cease in favour of modern non-lethal technologies, however both states have thus far refused to comply with this recommendation.
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Support our mission to end shark nets and lethal drumlinesMembers must align with our core goal: advocating for the immediate removal of lethal shark control programs and replacing them with humane, science-backed alternatives. We expect partners to stand with us on this principle.
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Not actively involved in shark culling or conflicting programsYour organisation should not participate in or directly benefit from shark netting, drumline operations, or similar lethal programs. This ensures the integrity and consistency of our coalition’s message.
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Willing to publicly share support for the causeWe ask members to share their involvement with the coalition on their website or social platforms, and to advocate for non-lethal shark control solutions through their own networks when possible.
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Provide a logo to feature on the Nets Out Now websiteAs a visible part of the coalition, your logo will appear alongside others to show strength in numbers. This demonstrates a united, cross-sector push for reform.
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Nominate someone from your team as the key liaisonTo stay connected and share updates, we ask for one nominated contact per organisation. This helps us coordinate campaigns, share media kits, and keep everyone in the loop.
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Back the use of modern, non-lethal shark safety solutionsMembers should support the shift toward effective, ethical strategies — such as drones, shark spotting programs, SMART drumlines, personal deterrents, and education. We want to show that safer oceans don’t have to come at the cost of marine life.
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