Renewed calls for fishing ban after decapitated shark found at popular jetty

Calls to expand a shark fishing ban have been renewed after a diver discovered a beheaded 1.8m tiger shark at a popular West Australian jetty.

Local diver Aaron Goodhew told the ABC that he spotted the carcass just 8m from the Busselton Jetty’s ladder entrance into the water.

This comes after a state government ban on wire trace shark fishing came into force earlier this month.

The carcass was found near Busselton Jetty in Western Australia. Supplied Credit: News Regional Media

There have been calls to expand the area covered by the ban, which stretches across Perth from South Mandurah to Two Rocks.

Mr Goodhew told the ABC that he previously found a shark carcass at the same jetty last year.

“I removed it from the water and I took it back to the beach away from where all the kids were,” he said.

“Then I just basically wrapped it up in an old curtain and just got it off the beach and took it away.”

A shark fishing ban was enforced at Perth beaches earlier this month. Supplied Credit: istock

The diver said he was concerned over the increased likelihood of sharks in the area when animal parts were being thrown into the water, particularly with the increased presence of children in summer.

“I’m not against fishing. I go catch crays. I’ve got mates who fish,” he said.

“To (cut up sharks) in swimming areas, where literally hours later there are young kids swimming, is just reckless in my opinion.”

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has been contacted for comment.