Shark nets and baited drumlines are only used in three countries around the world.

Other countries around the globe have sourced alternative scientifically-proven and environmentally-friendly  shark deterrents methods that provide geniuene safety to beach-users. Modern technology, like drone surveillance, personal deterrents or Shark Safe Barriers, have provided us with innovative and highly effective shark mitigation solutions, that not only protect  water-users, but also its natural marine life. 

There are simply far more advanced methods available to us to keep beach-users truely safe, without destroying the marine world. 

As apex predators, sharks sit at the top of the food chain, meaning that they regulate the populations of marine species below them. Sharks are often referred to as the doctors of the ocean, as they feed on the weak, sick, or injured animals, removing them from the ecosystem. This process not only promotes the health of prey populations, but helps to maintain a balanced ecosystem.

The sharks role is essential in preventing the overpopulation of certain species, which can lead to an imbalance in the food web. For example, if mid-level predators increase in number without natural control by sharks, they may overconsume herbivorous fish. These herbivores are key to maintaining the health of coral reefs by grazing on algae. Without them, algae would overgrow and smother coral reefs, leading to long-term habitat degradation and loss of biodiversity. 

This is just one example. 

When sharks are removed from the ecosystem, a magnitude of change will occur. 

The removal of an apex predator will have cascading affects throughout the rest of the marine ecosystem. Unfortunately, human interference is having detrimental, disasterous and long lasting impacts on shark populations. 

The Impact of Human Interference

1. Shark Finning
   Shark finning—the practice of removing a shark's fins and discarding the rest of the body at sea—is one of the most significant threats to shark populations. Driven largely by demand for shark fin soup, this practice is both wasteful and inhumane. Because sharks grow slowly, mature late, and produce few offspring, their populations cannot recover quickly from overexploitation. The large-scale removal of sharks through finning disrupts marine food chains and leads to ecological collapse in some regions.
    
2. Overfishing
   Many sharks are caught unintentionally as bycatch in commercial fishing operations targeting other species. Others are directly targeted for their meat, liver oil, or cartilage. Overfishing reduces shark populations to unsustainable levels, especially for species that are already vulnerable due to their slow reproductive cycles. Removing too many sharks from the ocean weakens their ability to regulate prey populations, which can result in cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.
    
3. Shark Control Programs
   Some regions use shark nets or baited drumlines as part of shark control programs intended to reduce the risk of shark encounters with humans. While these programs aim to improve public safety, they often lead to the indiscriminate killing of not only sharks but also other marine animals like dolphins, turtles, and rays. These methods contribute further to the decline of shark populations without effectively eliminating the risk of shark bites.
    

Sharks have roamed the oceans for over 400 million years. They date older than the first tree, dinosaur and even the Northern Star. Shark species have survived four mass extinctions and have shaped marine life as we know it. However in the space of just a few decades, human disturbance has removed a uncomprehanable percent of shark species, at a rapid and unsustainable rate. 

Throughout the process of writing this book, I was faced with several hurdles  in creating an educational and factual piece, that was also suitable for children. The truth is that there is no easy way to talk about the current Queensland Shark Control Program. It is not a nice topic. 

Knowledge is power, and education and awareness within the younger generation is the pivotal key in the future preservation of our oceans. 

Lola and the Deep Blue follows the story of Lola, the great white shark, on her quest to find coolers. Throughout Lolas travels, readers can observe the respectful and harmonic relationship between humans and marine life peacefully coexisting together, showcasing other non-lethal shark deterrent alternatives, like drone surveillance, shark eyes and personal electronic deterrents. This section of the book aims to demonstrate the respectful relationship that is largely seen across the world, and address the stark contrast when entering into the waters of Eastern Australia, being one of the only countries left in the world to use these harmful and ineffective devices.

Based on the original storyline, it was planned to be Lola that would become trapped within the shark net when entering into Eastern Australian waters. However, if a great white shark was to be found entangled on a protection device, like a shark net or baited drumline, in the real world, Lola would have been savagely killed by contractors. 

To remain factual, the story had to change. Dylan, the baby dolphin, became the victim to the shark net.

Being a non-target species, a dolphin would be released from the equipment by contractors whenever possible in the real world. In this scene, the audience can also form an emotional connection with the dolphin, building a sense of urgency to intervene and help rescue this animal.

It deeply saddens me that the same reaction is not met when a shark is killed.