Death of Michael Jensz in Qld shark attack brings dangers of spearfishing 'close to home'
Emergency services were called to the Hull River boat ramp. (ABC Far North: Rosanne Maloney)
In short:
Spearfisherman Michael Jensz, 39, died when he was attacked by a shark off the Far North Queensland coast yesterday.
Experts say shark numbers are not necessarily increasing, but they are interacting more with humans.
What's next?
Police are continuing their investigation and preparing a report for the coroner.
Far North Queensland locals and members of the spearfishing community have expressed shock at the death of 39-year-old Michael Jensz from a shark attack at Kennedy Shoal.
Mr Jensz, who lived at Mount Sheridan on Cairns's south side, was spearfishing from a private boat at the reef site, 160 kilometres south of Cairns, at midday yesterday when he was attacked.
One of his companions pulled him from the water and emergency services met the boat at Hull River boat ramp, but police said he died from a serious head wound.
Yesterday, Inspector Elaine Burns said the species of shark involved in the attack was yet to be confirmed.
The Department of Primary Industries is involved in the investigation but declined to comment.
Cassowary Coast mayor Teresa Millwood said, in a statement, that "thoughts are with the family at this incredibly difficult time".
"We wish them strength and love to get through this," Cr Millwood said.
Ebony Harper says sharks cannot be blamed for the fatality. (ABC News: Rosanne Maloney)
'So close to home'
Mission Beach spear fisher Ebony Harper said it was a reminder of the risks of spearfishing in the region.
"I saw the police officer … at the ramp stopping people from coming in and you just think to yourself, 'That could have been me out there today,'" Ms Harper said.
"It just really hit because it was so close to home.
"I'm sending my thoughts to family and friends. It's really tragic."
Ms Harper said while Kennedy Shoal was not a common spearfishing location, it was not far from places she had been spearfishing.
"The shark population there is certainly increasing and they're becoming very in tune with the sound of motors, the sound of your spear gun," she said.
The group were spearfishing at Kennedy Shoal, approximately 50km offshore, when the man was attacked. (ABC Far North: Rosanne Maloney)
Despite remaining vigilant, Ms Harper said it was easy to be surprised by sharks, and there was not much more individuals could do to protect themselves.
"We can't blame sharks. At the end of the day, you're the one that's in their environment and you've got to respect that, and just really be careful," she said.
"Maybe we do need to open up the conversation of specific species opening them up to commercial fishing I think it's worth a discussion when family members aren't coming home."
Geoff Ryder is in favour of a conversation on culling sharks. (ABC News: Rosanne Maloney)
Fishers 'competing' with bull sharks
Tully Heads fisher Geoff Ryder said Kennedy Shoal was "reefy, rocky" with plenty of trout and mackerel.
Mr Ryder said increasing numbers of bull sharks at the reef meant commercial fishers had to compete for catch.
"I know with fishing, a lot more of your fish get taken by sharks and they're big sharks," he said.
The man was brought to Hull River boat ramp but emergency services were unable to revive him. (ABC Far North: Rosanne Maloney)
Mr Ryder believed because sharks could not be caught commercially, a cull may be needed.
"The numbers are getting so high up north now and there's no other control for them," he said.
Jodie Rummer disputes that shark numbers are increasing. (ABC Far North: Conor Byrne)
James Cook University marine biology professor Jodie Rummer disagreed, saying culling was not a solution.
She said globally, some shark populations were struggling, while other species remained stable.
"It's probably one of the most imperilled groups of organisms on the planet right now," she said.
"What we can say with a lot more confidence is that there are more people in the water."
Kennedy Shoal and Otter Reef are on the Great Barrier Reef, about 50km offshore. (Google Maps)
She said shark populations were affected by overfishing, bycatch, and climate change.
"Culling is not addressing the problem," she said.
"It's removing animals, but it doesn't remove the environmental conditions and the human interactions that bring the sharks into the area.
"Sharks are behaving normally. They're doing what they do. They're following food, they're following the temperature."
Johan Gustafson says many spearfishers understand shark behaviour. (Supplied: Johan Gustafson)
Spearfishers 'misidentified' by sharks
Shark expert Johan Gustafson told the ABC the activity of spearfishing meant people were much more likely to see sharks in active fishing behaviours.
"You're fishing while they're fishing in their food source, you're also creating a stressed fish when you shoot them, so this is just what's going to happen, we can't change that," Dr Gustafson said.
He said many spearfishers understood shark behaviour and said there had been a lot of education in recent years about avoiding murky water and areas with a lot of fish.
He said if there was a large fish-feeding event or a bait ball, it was easier for divers to be "misidentified" by sharks engaging in feeding activities.
Additional reporting by Charlie McKillop, Rosanne Maloney, and Brendan Mounter.