Mermaid Invader

MERMAID INVADER — As published on the front cover of the Weekend Gold Coast Bulletin, this polarising and sobering image captures the last moments of a Great White Shark that had been hooked on a shark control program drum line, which became dislodged from its anchor, leaving the shark chained to the buoy and stuck swimming for hours in the surf zone off Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach. It was eventually ‘wrangled’ to shore by a local lifeguard who spotted the buoy bobbing in the waves and swam out to grab what he thought was simply loose shark net equipment. Shockingly, there was a live White Shark attached to the other end. On shore, it was clear the shark had exhausted itself beyond salvation, and it was swiftly euthanised by fisheries officers who arrived a short time later, and removed from the beach. This photograph further fuelled the ongoing debate over shark control program measures on the Gold Coast, a debate which continues to this day. It has also featured in several international publications and books.