Brutal discovery at Aussie beach prompts $5,222 fine warning: 'Foolish behaviour'
Posting to social media on Tuesday, a Queensland woman questioned the presence of the shark remains at a beach in Townsville in the state's northeast — prime croc country. Vision shows a large-looking shark torso, headless and without a tail.
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Dr Leonardo Guida, shark campaign manager at the Australian Marine Conservation Society, said though the animal in question was butchered to the point it was unidentifiable, killing big sharks in the state is strictly forbidden.
"It's illegal in Queensland waters for a recreational fisher to retain a shark over 1.5 metres," he explained, adding the law is in place to protect mature and breeding individuals.
"Personally, I wouldn't target sharks for a feed as there's far more environmentally sustainable choices on offer, that are a great fishing experience.
"Secondly when you do fish, you should only take what you need. The GoodFish [website] is a great resource to understand what sustainable seafood choices there are."
Size limits exist because larger sharks are usually apex predators, crucial for controlling prey populations and ensuring a healthy marine environment. Bigger sharks are often older and more mature, contributing significantly to reproduction. Protecting them helps sustain populations.
Conversationists say that ensuring only smaller, younger sharks are taken allows populations to replenish and prevents overfishing.
But, that's not the only issue with this scenario.
In Queensland, while it is not explicitly illegal under fisheries legislation to leave fish remains on beaches, doing so is strongly discouraged due to environmental and safety concerns.
Improper disposal of fish scraps can attract predators such as crocodiles, especially in northern regions, posing significant risks to public safety. In response to such dangers, Queensland has enacted laws imposing substantial fines on individuals who discard fish scraps in areas inhabited by saltwater crocodiles.
As of September 2024, leaving scraps or animal remains in areas inhabited by saltwater crocodiles can result in an on-the-spot fine of $483. More severe penalties may apply if the action is deemed to intentionally feed or attract crocodiles, with fines reaching up to $5,222.
While Townsville isn't as densely populated with crocodiles as some areas further north, such as Cairns or Cape York, it is firmly within crocodile territory, and locals are accustomed to living with the predators.
Responding to the woman's post online, a number of locals said they thought the Townsville killing was "a crime". And while it may be, depending on the kind — some sharks species are protected, and killing them is unlawful — and the size, it appears in this case it might have just been a poor idea, Guida said.
"Irresponsibly disposing of an animal's body can result in potentially dangerous situations because of a carcasses attracting predators. Any large whole carcasses or remains should be reported to the appropriate authorities for further instruction," he told Yahoo.
Fishermen's 'foolish' act at boat ramp in croc country
Sinister discovery in Aussie waterway sparks $36,000 fine
Rare crocodile moment captured in confronting drone footage
Last year, authorities issued a desperate warning against what they described as "foolish behaviour" near the water's edge in croc country. Officers with the Queensland Department of Environment, Science, Tourism and Innovation (DETSI) said they'd received multiple, separate reports of crocodiles "hanging around" boat ramps waiting to be fed, after learning to expect discarded remains at popular fishing spots.
DETSI director Lindsay Delzoppo urged fishers to take their scraps with them. "Many fishers clean their catch at boat ramps and throw the heads and frames away at the water's edge, thinking they are doing the right thing by 'recycling', but this should never be done in croc country," he said.
"This foolish behaviour... needs to stop. People should dispose of fish frames and unwanted bait away from the water, because crocodiles have an amazing sense of smell and will be attracted to come along for a feed."
Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sinister reason thousands of monarch butterflies are swarming Aussie town
Thousands of butterflies have descended on this small Aussie town, but experts have warned that there's an alarming reason behind their exploding numbers. The swarms of orange Monarch butterflies have flocked to the Western Australian town of Nannup due to the spread of invasive weeds like narrow-leaf cotton bush and milkweed, which butterflies lay their eggs in. Horticulturist Colin Barlow told Yahoo News Australia that the phenomenon involves "a bit of a symbiotic relationship [because] without these plants the monarch butterfly can't survive… it's [about] getting that balance to control them to make sure it doesn't become more of a problem in cultivated areas and gardens. It's really [about] educating the public landowners to keep it clear, to weed them out before it goes to seed... But we've got to enjoy this because we may not see it again.' Video transcript Thousands of butterflies have descended on this small Aussie town. But experts have warned that there is an alarming reason behind their exploding numbers. The swarms of orange monarch butterflies have flocked to the Western Australian town of Naup. Due to the spread of invasive weeds like narrowleaf cotton bush and milkweed. Which butterflies lay their eggs in. Horticulturist Colin Barlow told Yahoo News Australia that the phenomenon involves a bit of a symbiotic relationship because without these plants, the monarch butterfly can't survive. It's about getting that balance to control them to make sure it doesn't become more of a problem in cultivated areas and gardens. It's really about educating the public landowners to keep it clear, to weed them out before it goes to seed. But we've got to enjoy this because we may not see it again.
Buzz Feed
5 days ago
- Buzz Feed
This Australian Household Cleaner Will Be Your New BFF
Often in my research (and daily life), I come across cleaning products that claim to be multipurpose but really only work efficiently for one or two kinds of messes and stains — so I am used to approaching such declarations with skepticism. But every once in a while I stumble upon a truly effective, versatile product that warrants high praise, as is the case with Gumption cleaning paste. I first encountered this Australian household cleaning staple a few years ago when I first started dating my (Aussie) partner, Veronica, who would whip it out from under her sink to tackle everything from dirty, stained dishes to scrubbing the bathtub. There is really nothing this amazing product can't clean, and luckily for those of us who live stateside, it's available on Amazon for only $22. This cleaning wunderkind couldn't be easier to use. It comes as a concentrated powder that you apply to a damp cloth or sponge to quickly and efficiently wipe away stains and filth. It's formulated with natural abrasive particles that somehow are able to clean even the most intense of messes without causing scratches or damage. Like most Australians, Veronica swears by it for just about everything but is particularly enthusiastic about Gumption's dish-cleaning prowess. She says, 'It works like magic, there is nothing it cannot remove. It makes stainless steel shiny and removes all food that might be very tough to clean and stuck. It essentially exfoliates everything away — your pots and pans will be sparkling clean.' She does not, however, recommend using it on items with non-stick coating, as it is slightly abrasive. This international cleaning product has flown under the radar in the U.S., but it's long overdue for its moment in the sun. Those who have tried it have instantly fallen under its spell, myself included, and I have a good feeling it'll make a convert out of you posthaste if you give it a chance. Your house will be gleaming before you know it. Get it from Amazon for $22.70.
New York Post
28-07-2025
- New York Post
How many close friends do you really need? New research shows a certain number is attainable
In 2025, many of us are living alone. Or we live with housemates, cotenants, flatmates – people who may share a fridge, a lease, even a dog, but not necessarily our inner world. While the population swells in our cities, and digital devices keep us constantly connected, many of us live in a kind of emotional isolation. We go to work, we cook our meals, we scroll our phones, we answer messages – and still feel deeply alone. Advertisement For generations, it was a given that our romantic partner, our spouse, was also our closest confidante – the person we could cry in front of, confide in, lean on when the day had simply been too much. But for some, the presence of a partner only throws the lack of connection into sharper relief. Intimacy cannot be assumed. And for the growing number of people living solo, the question becomes starker: if not a partner, then who? 5 On average, people with high well-being have five people they can rely on; those with poorer mental health report just over three. Donald Pearsall / NY Post Design The answer, it turns out, is friends. Not a friend. Friends – plural. Research from News Corp's Growth Distillery with Medibank reveals that those with the best self-reported mental wellbeing are also those with the most people in their corner. On average, people with high well-being have five people they can rely on; those with poorer mental health report just over three. Advertisement That gap might sound small, but in practice, it's enormous. It's the difference between feeling like there's always someone you can call, and running through a dwindling mental list of names when things start to unravel. The data is compelling. It confirms what many of us know instinctively, but sometimes forget to prioritise: that connection is not an optional extra — it is vital. Friendship is not a decoration for a busy life. It is one of the structures that hold us upright. 5 Research from News Corp's Growth Distillery with Medibank reveals that those with the best self-reported mental wellbeing are also those with the most people in their corner. oneinchpunch – And yet, many Australians don't feel able to build or rely on that structure. The research also found that nearly half of us feel unprepared or unsure how to talk about mental health – even when someone turns to us for help. Advertisement And when it comes to talking about our own struggles, we hold back out of fear: not fear of judgement, but fear of burdening others. We silence ourselves to protect the people we care about, not realising that this silence builds barriers where we need bridges. What emerges from this research is not just a picture of loneliness, but a profound uncertainty about how to connect in meaningful ways. Many of us are deeply social in practice – attending events, replying to group chats, showing up for work drinks – but feel emotionally cut off. We keep things light. We're funny, dependable, and generous. But not vulnerable. Not fully ourselves. And in doing so, we miss out on the nourishment that true connection can bring. 5 Friendship is not a decoration for a busy life. It is one of the structures that hold us upright, according to the research. Xavier Lorenzo – Advertisement It's tempting to try to solve this with another app, a new social initiative, a government-funded campaign. And those all have their place. But there's something more elemental at stake here – something that doesn't require policy or innovation, but courage. We need to talk to our friends. Really talk. We need to be brave enough to say, 'I'm not okay.' Or even just, 'I'm struggling today.' We need to listen to each other without scrambling for solutions. To be present, even if we don't have the perfect words. Of course, that kind of honesty doesn't appear overnight. It takes time and trust. But the alternative – isolation, both physical and emotional – carries its own costs. Mental ill-health is not just a personal issue. It's a public one. It affects families, workplaces, healthcare systems, and communities. And it's growing. We cannot afford to pretend that mental well-being is something people can cultivate entirely alone. The most resilient among us still need others. 5 We need to talk to our friends. Really talk. We need to be brave enough to say, 'I'm not okay.' Or even just, 'I'm struggling today.' StratfordProductions – That's why the link between support networks and mental health is so powerful. It gives us something tangible to work with. If we want to improve wellbeing, we can start by expanding our circles. That might mean reaching out to old friends and suggesting a catch-up that's more than just a walk-and-talk. It might mean gently probing when someone gives a breezy 'I'm fine' that doesn't ring true. It might mean noticing who is always the listener and never the speaker – and inviting them to take up space. These small actions don't always feel like mental health interventions, but they are. A text message that says 'thinking of you' might be the first step out of someone's emotional fog. A regular coffee catch-up might become someone's only appointment they truly look forward to. We don't need to be therapists to be impactful. We just need to be consistent and willing to show up – even imperfectly. And we need to remind ourselves, too, that we are not burdens. If someone cares for us, they probably want to know how we really are. It is not weak to need others. It is human. 5 If we want to improve wellbeing, we can start by expanding our circles. That might mean reaching out to old friends and suggesting a catch-up that's more than just a walk-and-talk. Adene S/ – Advertisement In a culture that prizes independence and stoicism, this may feel radical. But if the research tells us anything, it's that no one thrives in isolation. We thrive in connection. We flourish in friendship. So maybe the real message from all this data isn't about mental health campaigns or social trends. Maybe it's simpler. Maybe it's this: pick up the phone. Send the message. Make the plan. Build the net before you fall. Because one day, you might need it. And so might someone else.
