sheep causing west oz shark attacks

Now I've heard it all.

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/national/live-sheep-exports-blamed-for-wa-shark-attacks/story-fndor8bb-1226429751498

Live sheep exports blamed for WA shark attacks


LIVE sheep exports are being blamed for the recent spate of shark attacks.

The Weekly Times reports that The Humane Society International has called on the West Australian Government to look into all aspects of shark behaviour and the possible connection with the export of live sheep from the port of Fremantle.

There have been five fatalities to sharks in WA within the past 10 months, the most recent being an attack on a surfer at Wedge Island, 180km north of Perth.

A spokesperson for the animal protection society, Alexia Wellbelove, said "thousands of dead sheep ... either whole or minced" were being thrown overboard as ships departed ports for the Middle East "without care or consideration for the consequences".



"It is highly likely that the disposal of animal remains in this way will attract large sharks over a wide distance," Ms Wellbelove said.

"This attraction of large sharks may have dreadful consequences. HSI is concerned that one of these consequences may be increased incident of shark attacks."

The society says it has written to the West Australian and Federal Government with a documented list of shark attacks and presence of live export vessels, urging them to investigate possible links.

"This list shows that on a number of occasions, and particularly over the past 10 months, there appears to be a strong connection between shark attacks and the presence of live export vessels in the area," she said.

"Anecdotal reports from fishermen suggest that sharks are able to recognise individual vessels, meaning these export vessels will result in a concentration of the shark population when the vessels are present as the sharks seek an 'easy' meal."