Bull shark caught in Noosa creek | Coolum News | Local News in Coolum

At last - a shark story with substance, reality and impact. Not another "one swam past me" or "I saw one" non-story filler.

If this doesn't convince people that these natural but dangerous predators, very much, inhabit our creeks, rivers, canals and lakes - then they take it on their own heads - don't they.

It's not "teeming" with them and it would be a mistake and sensationalist to think so. But they are there - plenty of them. Always has been.

And nowadays, especially at this time of year - there's LOTS more tourists, new arrivals, or just plain silly, uninformed ignorant people swimming, particularly, in the rivers. The types that insist on making themselves, their children or their dogs into "baitfish".

One thing - 15 km is not far up a flooded stream or river at all. You will find these guys in Lake Weyba, Cootharaba etc and as far up the Maroochy, Noosa and Mooloolah Rivers as they can get. It's normal.

The onus is on US to be aware. Not the "evil" shark going about a shark's normal business.

Well written story. Hat's off, John Hammond.

Wow look at that theres sharks in the water....oh and growing on trees going by that picture.

It should have been released.

sharks are important to the environment; yes there has been a lot of them at the moment for very good reason: weather, murky waters, etc...
don't like seeing a hanging shark from a tree.

So was the fingermark bream, Jame's used legal size? Isn't it about time recreational fishing was viewed the same way most viewed hunting?
Sure it is fun and can be relaxing, but somehow I don't think the marine life feels the same way about it as we do. Afterall, how many fish caught, are not legal size, than go through pain, and discomfort, just so us humans can pass a little time. Of course Kev and his mates are on the weekend fisher's side, afterall think of the votes he would loose, let alone the taxes lost from sale of bait, tackle, and in some areas, the licencing.

It's a hard one, brother/sister shark has every right to exist (not lynched in a tree) and we certainly don't want anybody injured or killed.

I have been wondering for a few years now why people up the COast have been thinking their waterways and/or sharks are different to those on the Gold Coast.

Remember the hysteria after a couple of canal attacks down there ? Yet nobody thought about our waterways - nobody thought, "Hmmm, sharks do it there so could, should, would they do it here ?".

The canal-front home prices suffered heavy falls in the wash-up, I've been waiting for a similar thing to hit the fan/tree here too. I suspect this will not be the end of this, or similar, stories ...

PS As for "it should have been released" ... me thinks not. 2.8m can potentially be a serious threat, and 70kg can potentially be a lot of flake.

you all really should do a little research and find out what will happen if these sharks become extinct,
with their numbers in the lower half of the scale, things will get very grim very fast.
but don't take my word for it. Do your homework and make an informed decision.
Everything has the right to exist, but is seems that we take it upon ourselves to choose what lives and what dies. Very arrogant for a species who are surely wrecking their own planet for personal gain.
Sharks have a very important place in our ecosystem.
but who am I to lecture the experts.

Zorro said: "At last - a shark story with substance, reality and impact."

But I am still not convinced.

December 27 eh? What year would that have been? The photo does look a bit old.

“I couldn’t lift it and when I opened its mouth with my gumboot there were rows of big, sharp, pointy teeth,” he said.......
Well fancy that- a shark with big, sharp, pointy teeth!
What a joke of a story! Ah hello, it's a river- of course it is going to have sharks.
What a devestating picture to see that poor innocent creature strung up in a tree. Did they even use the meat off the shark, or did they just leave it there to rot! What a waste. I have to agree with 'nivAg'- was the fingermark bream he used leagl size?

Yes, sharks are dangerous. Yes, they SOMEtimes attack people... But only when we go into THEIR territory.

There are sharks in the water people, the onus is on US to keep our eyes open and not let our kids or pets swim during feeding/mating times!

It's not the shark's fault that we look like food at dinner time!!!

I'm surprised there hasn't been (anywhere in the world) a humane method of keeping sharks out of swimming/surfing beaches.

It is indisputeable that sharks are vital in their ecosystem and I also agree that WE are going into THEIR habitat. (we live on land, them in water !) But I'd rather see a dead shark (even if it is in a tree) than half a child wash up on Kings Beach.

Its a difficult issue with very valid arguments for both sides ... and also some silly arguments each way as well, imho. Bottom line : beware when and where you swim, follow safety advice and respect the environment you are entering.

A shark kills a person out of natural instinct, so lets cull all threat in their own territory.

Get real,..... people kill other people everyday out of pure evil.....yet they are still free to breath.

As you can see from my user name I do have an interest in sharks and have read a lot scientific material followed by numerous documentaries, without sharks, humans wouldn't even be able to enjoy the oceans.

Looking at the picture, Who is the bigger threat?

I wonder if DEEDI will be paying Mr Saunders a little visit, being as his catch is about twice the allowed maximum size..... Doesn't exactly look like it was immediately released!

What is it with people who have to hunt and show off trophies particularly as we are so much more educated ( well some of us) about nature and our environment? Killing one shark and hanging it to make some kind of point is nothing short of pathetic. To kill such a beautiful creature then totally waste it should attract a massive fine. Will humans be happy when they have driven every animal to extinction?

Obviously Mr Saunders and his son has no idea when it comes to sharks at all, surely someone so knowledgable would know that in QLD waters bullsharks have a maximum size limit of 1.5 metres and baglimit of one anything out side this has to be returned to the water immediately. John Hammond have you presented your evidence to the Fisheries Dept so a prosecution can be made or do you and the paper condone illeagal fishing in Australia, i would to hear what action the paper and writer have taken on this. Its simple bull sharks without fail every year head to brackish/fresh water to birth their pups then make thier way back to the salt so that means canals and upper reaches of tidal rivers will encounter a heavier trafiic of bull sharks. Man eaters or not rules and regs set for recreational anglers for a reason and not knowing before carrying out hero acts like this is just plain ignorant and brings a bad name to every who does the right thing , i hope the law catches up Mr Saunders and his son.

cjolliffe - What makes you think they're going to waste it? As My_2_cents said, "That's a lot of flake".

"Lynching" is a highly emotive and, in this case, totally inappropriate word to apply. Every fisherman, big and small, since forever has hung out, or up, or displayed his/her catch. This is no different. It's just big.

While I do not neccessarily condone or condemn this particular shark being caught - I agree with My_2_cents. I would rather see this than a dead child.

This is a timely and neccessary reminder - the best PR possible - that we need to be aware and take care. Far too many people, particularly overseas tourists, have absolutely no idea whatsoever of things like this. You couldn't organise a better awareness campaign. It's a one off - not a free-for-all slaughter.

No one said, "kill them all". Too many hysterics and people with their knickers all twisted up - like kriso.

"THEIR territory" I disagree, but will it still be their territory when the day arrives that society can justify the cost for technology to block their access to this territory? We must remind ourselves that they are deadly predators, so don't pussy foot around, kill or be killed. I'm not talking about chasing them down in the sea, just whatever poses us a high risk, those in close proximity, in our rivers and stalking our shores. Its all good playing the passive type until a shark takes your son's leg off.

Certainly are a lot of "twisted Knickers" in this shark tale.
I saw this on a doco once, the two most feared words to mankind.........
"Shark and Cancer"