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The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Queensland's shark control plan facing court challenge and federal intervention, experts say
The expansion of Queensland's lethal shark control program will be challenged in court – should it escape a looming entanglement with federal laws – according to marine scientists and policy experts. The Queensland government announced plans to pump $88m over four years into the state's shark management plan, which would see shark nets and baited drumlines rolled out at more beaches, as well as the expanded use of non-lethal technology such as drone surveillance. The Crissafuli government announced its plan was one that 'prioritised beach goers' safety' which it said was 'put at risk' by the previous government to 'appease radical agendas'. 'It's clear the program had lost its way under previous Labor governments who failed to act and put people after the demands of environmental activists,' primary industries minister Tony Perrett said in a statement. But Humane World for Animals marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck said the LNP was 'simply playing politics' with a highly emotive issue, describing their shark policy as a 'thinly veiled ruse' to appear supportive of the fishing industry by picking a legal fight 'they know they'll lose'. Many commercial anglers are clamouring for more sharks to be culled amid rising rates of depredation of their catch. Chlebeck confirmed HWA was already looking into a legal challenge – but federal intervention could mean that it 'may not even come to that'. As well as catching and culling target sharks, Queensland's shark nets and drumlines kill, injure and entangle non-target species. Chlebeck said public data showed that last year 1,639 animals were caught in the program – fewer than half of which were targeted sharks – including 22 whales and dolphins, 37 turtles and 46 rays. More than 980 animals were killed. Queensland's shark control program has been running since 1962 and is grandfathered into the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, designed to protect threatened species. But Chlebeck said that exemption comes with a clause that the shark control program be assessed if it is expanded and shown to have a significant impact on threatened species 'The catch of protected species like whales and dolphins, the catch of threatened species like marine turtles and a number of shark species, including the critically endangered grey nurse, that could and most likely will open it up to review under the EPBC Act,' he said. 'The Queensland state government, they know all of this, so if they really want to push forward with these plans, they're going to come into conflict with the federal government and the new federal environment minister – which may or may not have been their plan all along.' But Chlebeck said the state's 'bluster' would end up 'opening up their own program to a scrutiny it has never before faced'. And the marine biologist has form when it comes to lethal shark control in Queensland. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion In 2019 the then Humane Society International had the state's plans for the lethal use of nets and drumlines in the Great Barrier Reef quashed by the federal court of Australia, with a judge ruling the scientific evidence presented was 'overwhelming' that the program's culling of sharks did 'not reduce the risk of unprovoked shark interactions'. University of Sydney associate professor of public policy and expert in the politics of shark attacks, Chris Pepin-Neff, agreed the Queensland government's announcement was more about taking culture wars to the open water than implementing evidence-backed policy. 'I think there's no doubt that the Queensland government believes that this is kind of a war on woke,' Pepin-Neff said. 'This is definitely a tough-on-sharks kind of policy decision and it includes killing sharks – and making sure everyone knows that they're killing sharks – as a way to provide political cover.' 'There's no real way to interpret this other than that the politicians have decided that they are going to win elections by killing sharks'. A spokesperson for the federal environment department confirmed the Queensland shark control program was exempt from the EPBC Act 'in its current form … as it was in operation prior to commencement of the act'. 'It is the responsibility of the Queensland Government to ensure any changes to its program are still covered by the exemption and refer any action that requires an approval under the EPBC Act,' the spokesperson said. The state government was contacted for comment.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Laketown Twp hosting invasive species informational day
LAKETOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Invasive species come in many forms. Identifying and dealing with them is the focus of a free program on Saturday on the lakeshore. The Ottawa and Allegan Conservation Districts are partnering with Laketown Township to host an invasive species informational day at 10 a.m. at the Felt Mansion's Carriage House. Guest speakers will lead presentations covering the identification of woody invasive plants, focusing on the hemlock woolly adelgid — otherwise known as HWA — and possible treatment options. HWA is a non-native invasive insect that affects eastern hemlock trees, causing mortality within four to 10 years. Eastern hemlock trees look like dark evergreen trees and provide crucial ecosystem support, especially near rivers, streams and sand dunes. There are an estimated 170 million of these trees in our state. Experts began noticing the invasive HWA in 2015 and have tracked the spread north as far as the Leelanau Peninsula. The insects, originally from Japan, have an active crawling phase in the summer months when they are mostly likely to spread. No matter your knowledge level, experts say the event is important information for everyone to have. 'It's going to be a lot of useful information,' Murielle Garbarino, a West Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area coordinator, said. 'If you don't know anything about invasive species, you'll definitely learn what an invasive species is and why they're a problem. If you've already started on your journey of controlling invasive species on your property, you're going to get some more technical information about how you can do that safely and effectively.' The invasives presentation today is a part of the first season of indoor programs sponsored by the parks commission. Next month's free event is called The Butterfly Garden and is being held at the Carriage House. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Horror Writers Association Announces 2025 Summer Scares Reading Program Selections
Annual program encourages readers of all ages to explore horror literature, with curated recommendations for libraries and book clubs. 'I am so excited about every one of these books; they're creepy and delightful, brutal and terrifying, inventive and just plain good reads.' — Kendare Blake COLUMBUS, OH, UNITED STATES, February 14, 2025 / / -- In celebration of National Library Lover's Day, the Horror Writers Association (HWA), in partnership with Booklist, Book Riot, iREAD, and NoveList®, a division of EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO), announces the seventh annual Summer Scares reading list. Designed to promote horror fiction as a compelling and enriching reading option for all ages, this year's selections were curated by a panel of authors and library professionals to engage a broad range of readers. 'Is anyone else already missing Halloween? Is anyone else already dying for summer? Well, great news! Summer Scares combines both of our loves with a carefully curated list of horrifying books, giving you the perfect excuse to read chilling tales in hot weather! (If indeed you needed an excuse),' says #1 New York Times bestselling author Kendare Blake, this year's Summer Scares spokesperson. Blake adds, 'I am so excited about every one of these books; they're creepy and delightful, brutal and terrifying, inventive and just plain good reads. The committee has done a bang-up job—there's truly something here for everyone, but why not try them all? Young or old(er), the time has come to fill your scary reading lists.' Every year, three titles are selected in each of three categories: Adult, Young Adult, and Middle Grade. The 2025 Summer Scares Selections Include: Adult Selections: 'Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes' by Eric LaRocca (Titan Books, 2022) 'Reprieve' by James Han Mattson (William Morrow, 2021) 'The Luminous Dead' by Caitlin Starling (Harper Voyager, 2019) Young Adult Selections: 'Devils Unto Dust' by Emma Berquist (Greenwillow, 2018) 'The Getaway' by Lamar Giles (Scholastic Press, 2022) 'Find Him Where You Left Him Dead' by Kristen Simmons (Tor Teen, 2023) Middle Grade Selections: 'Eerie Tales from the School of Screams' by Graham Annable (First Second, 2022) 'Ravenous Things' by Derrick Chow (Disney Hyperion, 2022) 'Hide and Seeker' by Daka Hermon (Scholastic Press, 2020) Summer Scares aims to introduce horror titles to school and public library workers, helping them start conversations with readers that go beyond the books on each year's list and to encourage a lifelong love of reading. In addition to the annual list of recommended titles, the Summer Scares Programming Guide—produced each year by the Springfield-Greene County (MO) Library and available for free to any library—returns with essential tools to help libraries connect with their patrons. 'The 2025 guide, developed by the HWA's Library Advisory Council, is a library worker's roadmap to providing exciting and meaningful experiences for their patrons through Summer Scares. Whether they're putting up book displays, hosting author events, or planning an entire Summer Scares program series, this guide has everything they need,' says Konrad Stump, co-creator of the programming guide. Stump adds, 'We are also excited to enhance our partnership with iREAD by selecting one title in each age group that fits iREAD's 2025 theme, 'Level Up at Your Library,' as well as creating sample partner programs with their input.' The guide will be available beginning March 1, 2025, on the Summer Scares Resource page. (See link below.) In addition to the reading list and programming guide, Summer Scares provides free live programming, featuring discussions with the selected authors and committee members. Booklist will kick off the 2025 program with three free webinars in March, allowing readers, educators, and librarians to connect with this year's featured authors: Monday, March 10, 2025, at 2 PM ET – Middle Grade authors, moderated by Julia Smith Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 2 PM ET – Young Adult authors, moderated by Kendare Blake Monday, March 24, 2025, at 2 PM ET – Adult authors, moderated by Becky Spratford Each session lasts one hour, and free registration is available on the Booklist website under webinars. Recordings will be available for on-demand viewing after the live events in the archives section. Additionally, the Summer Scares committee and featured authors will appear in person at the HWA's Librarians' Day on Friday, June 13, 2025, in Stamford, CT, as part of StokerConⓇ 2025. All attendees are welcome to join them there. The 2025 Summer Scares program is organized by a team of horror and library professionals committed to promoting the genre in libraries, schools, and book clubs. This year's committee members include: Author Spokesperson: Kendare Blake HWA Library Committee Co-Chairs: Becky Spratford and Konrad Stump Academic Library Director: Carolyn Ciesla Book Riot Editor & YA Specialist: Kelly Jensen Booklist Editor & Middle Grade Specialist: Julia Smith Manager of Reader Services at NoveList: Yaika Sabat Libraries, schools, and book clubs are encouraged to incorporate the Summer Scares selections into their programming. Whether hosting author panels, horror-themed discussions, or book club meetings, Summer Scares offers free resources to make horror an exciting part of any reading community. About the Horror Writers Association: The Horror Writers Association (HWA) is a nonprofit organization of writers and publishing professionals around the world, dedicated to promoting dark literature and the interests of those who write it. Founded in the late 1980s, it now has more than 2,000 members around the world and is the oldest and most respected professional organization for creators of horror fiction. The HWA encourages public interest in and appreciation of horror and dark fantasy literature and hosts an annual professional conference, StokerCon. HWA is also dedicated to recognizing and promoting diversity in the horror genre and practices a strict anti-harassment policy at all of its events. Learn more on the HWA website. For more information, including committee bios, promotional materials, and event scheduling, and to access the guide which will be available beginning March 1, 2025, visit the Summer Scares Resource page. For inquiries, visit the HWA contact page to connect with Library Committee Co-Chairs Becky Spratford and Konrad Stump. Desiree Duffy Black Chateau
