Veteran journalist (and heralded Stab contributor) Fred Pawle thinks all you shark huggers have abandoned your critical thinking skills and been conned by woke environmentalists into thinking that a shark\u2019s right to exist trumps the cost of human lives. <\/p>\n
Has he got a point? Maybe.<\/p>\n
Fred\u2019s been obsessed with sharks since Great Whites were labelled a protected species and the number of attacks on Australian beaches immediately increased. Since then, in his signature tub-thumping style, he\u2019s been on a mission to open the debate around the culling of sharks, the most recent development being his self-funded film the Heart of Sharkness.<\/p>\n
Whatever you think of Fred\u2019s methods (the opening scene at Manly was a tough watch), he\u2019s obviously put his all into this project \u2014 money, passion, and a fair bit of expertise. Legendary SA surfer\/fisherman Jeff Schmucker, who he interviews in the film, is certainly someone worth listening to in this debate.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve reported extensively<\/a> on the issues surrounding shark attacks, and gone to great lengths to garner your insights<\/a>. It was interesting hearing Fred and Jed \u2014 who share certain shark-related beliefs but differ on others \u2014 debate on the latest installment of ATS, so we wanted to share it here. <\/p>\n After listening to the ep and watching Heart of Sharkness, has Fred\u2019s argument that we should be culling nearshore sharks shifted your thinking \u2014 or do remain firmly in Brinkley Davies\u2019 camp<\/a>?<\/p>\n