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Drones and drumlines: can Australian seas ever be safe from shark attacks?

Already in 2020, five Australians have been tragically killed after being bitten by sharks in what looks set to be a year of higher than usual deaths from the ocean predators.

Two surfers, a scuba diver, a spearfisher and a swimmer have all died from injuries caused by shark bites.

On Friday, a 10-year-old boy was pulled from a boat by a shark in north-west Tasmania. Ambulance Tasmania said the boy suffered cuts but was stable. The boy’s father had jumped into the water to help, and the shark swam away.
According to the Australian Shark Attack File, maintained by Taronga Conservation Society, Tasmania had not experienced an injury from a shark since 2012.

Related: Swim on sharks, nothing to see here: could fake kelp prevent attacks?

Across the country in 2019 there were 10 injuries from unprovoked shark bites, and no fatalities. Over the most recent five-year period, Australia averages 16 unprovoked shark incidents each year.

According to a report from Royal Life Saving Australia, these numbers compare to 94 drowning deaths at Australian beaches and harbours between July 2018 and June 2019. 

Are shark attacks on the rise?
The Australian shark attack file is affiliated with the Florida Museum of Natural History’s shark research program – the base for the International Shark Attack File that investigates and records unprovoked shark bites around the world.

Dr Gavin Naylor, the museum’s shark program director, says Australia has seen only a slight increase in the number of unprovoked bites over the past 20 years.

“This may be a consequence of people better documenting incidents and reporting them. The number of fatalities in Australia oscillates from year to year, and shows no detectable trend,” he says.
Australia’s love of water sports is one reason why the nation tends to record more fatalities than most other countries. The fact that great white sharks are present in the same places that are popular with surfers is also a factor, he says.

But the lack of any real trend in shark bites (at a time when human population is increasing) doesn’t mean that conditions under the waves are not changing from the perspective of the sharks. Dr George Roff, an ecologist at the University of Queensland, says: “It’s incredibly challenging to get a handle on shark populations.

“There’s an issue of the shifting baseline where surfers might say they see a lot of sharks, but are they seeing more than their parents or grandparents did?” When it comes to sharks that bite humans, the species of most concern are great white sharks, tiger sharks and bull sharks.

Roff led a study in 2018 that analysed the sharks caught on the hooks of the Queensland Government’s shark control program over the past 55 years. The numbers of great white, tiger, hammerhead and whaler sharks had dropped by between 74% and 92%, according to the catch data.

Roff says while logic would suggest more people in the ocean equated to more bites, there is little data to support that idea. With the advent of camera drones being used close to beaches, footage shared publicly on social media platforms shows how disinterested sharks often are in humans in the water.

‘Healthy oceans need sharks’
Roff identified another problem of looking at sharks and their relationship with humans through the lens of statistics and bites. “People might have data on a small number [of bites] but you can’t use that to model the negatives – we don’t think about all the people in the water that are not bitten.”

Analysis of data from the NSW government’s shark net program for a study published in October 2019 suggests the numbers of great white, tiger and whaler sharks being hooked has also dropped in NSW waters. Prof Rob Harcourt, of Macquarie University in Sydney, is currently researching sharks along the east coast of Australia.

Knowing how many sharks there are in the water is difficult, he says. They’re a highly mobile creature. Even studies that have used data from shark control programs are open to interpretation because, he says, if ocean temperatures are changing, this could be influencing the shark’s movement relative to the fixed locations of the government-sanctioned hooks. So less or more sharks being hooked, may not mean there are more or less sharks on the water.

In May, Harcourt was a co-author of a study that analysed data on the whereabouts of bull sharks, using commercial fishing catch data and information from the NSW government’s shark mesh program. Bull sharks have a preferred temperature range and tend not to like temperatures cooler than 21C, putting some places along the NSW coast out of bounds.

But warming of ocean temperatures is already making conditions more favourable for these sharks. “We know that the water temperatures are changing, and that’s changing their distribution,” Harcourt says. By 2030, the research suggests, further warming of the waters along the NSW coast will give bull sharks an extra three months of favourable water temperatures.

Bull sharks spend their first five or six years in and around estuaries where they’re born and Harcourt says there is evidence that those places, too, are getting warmer. In April, a study found estuaries along 1,100 kilometres of the NSW coast had warmed by more than 2C between 2007 and 2019.

Related: Water in estuaries along NSW coast has warmed by more than 2C, study finds. Harcourt says there are two reasons why sharks bite people. Either the shark is looking for food and the bite will be severe, or they are biting with less force as a way to investigate what’s in the water.

“Sharks don’t have hands, so they’ll also mouth gently and that’s probably investigative behaviour. If it’s going for food, then the bite is not the shark making a mistake.” Shark tagging in NSW, Harcourt says, shows clearly that “bull sharks go everywhere in Sydney harbour and they’re present right through the summer, yet we very, very rarely get an attack”.

Dr Leonardo Guida, a campaigner and shark scientist at the Australian Marine Conservation Society, told Guardian Australia: “Sharks are incredibly important to marine ecosystems – without sharks, those ecosystems can become unbalanced.”

He says commercial fishing is the main threat to shark numbers, but government programs to catch sharks on drumline hooks are “pressure that they don’t need”.

“News of a shark bite is news nobody ever wants to hear, let alone experience. But we do also have to understand that when we enter the water, it’s a big blue wilderness. Healthy oceans need sharks.”

Making the ocean safe
Earlier this month, the New South Wales government announced it was spending $8m as part of a new strategy that would include deploying drones across 34 beaches. The state also has 21 shark detection stations and shark meshing on 51 beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong.

Generally, Naylor says, the obvious point held true that the more people there are in the ocean, the more likelihood there would be of bites occurring.
he state already has 35 smart drumlines fixed with monitors that alert fisheries contractors when a shark is hooked, in theory allowing them to arrive and release the sharks.

Guida says there needs to be a suite of approaches to improve beach safety, but there is no silver bullet. Smart drumlines were a step forward, but they still harmed the shark. Drones to warn swimmers, shark deterrent Technologies and community education was the answer, Guida said.

“We need community education on how sharks move around and that has to be fundamental to any strategy.” Queensland and NSW governments have a list of advice to bathers to reduce the risk of being bitten by sharks.

Bathers should swim on patrolled beaches, avoid swimming at dawn and dusk or swimming in murky water or places where fish have been cleaned or baits have been discarded. The use of shark deterrent technologies is also recommended. In WA, the government offers rebates on some devices.

George Roff adds: “Shark attacks are a tragedy and we should be doing more to address those, but the answers are not drumlines and nets.

“We should be using drone technology and trying to understand shark movements.”

Reference: The Guardian: Graham Readfearn 3 hrs ago

New swine flu found in pigs in China with 'human pandemic potential'

A new strain of swine flu which has the potential to spread to humans and cause another pandemic has been identified by researchers in China.

Named G4 EA H1N1, the virus is similar to the swine flu that caused a pandemic in 2009 and possesses "all the essential hallmarks of a candidate pandemic virus", according to the authors of the study.

Scientists at Chinese universities and China's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detected the new virus after analysing 30,000 nasal swabs from pigs in slaughterhouses in 10 Chinese provinces between 2011 and 2018.
They found the new strain has been predominant among pigs since 2016.

One in 10 pig farm workers tested also showed elevated levels of the virus in their blood, particularly those aged 18 to 35 years old.

Tests showed that any immunity humans gain from exposure to seasonal flu does not provide protection from G4.

The researchers said they are concerned the virus could mutate so that it can pass from human to human and spark a global outbreak.

"Such infectivity greatly enhances the opportunity for virus adaptation in humans and raises concerns for the possible generation of pandemic viruses," they said.

"Systematic surveillance of influenza viruses in pigs is essential for early warning and preparedness for the next potential pandemic.

"Close monitoring in human populations, especially the workers in the swine industry, should be urgently implemented."

But while it is capable of infecting humans, there is no imminent threat of a new pandemic, said Carl Bergstrom, a biologist at the University of Washington.

"There's no evidence that G4 is circulating in humans, despite five years of extensive exposure," he said on Twitter after the paper's publication.

"That's the key context to keep in mind."

The study was published in the US journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Reference: Sky news 30/06/2020

Rat and mouse infestations have surged during lockdown, pest controllers find

Reports of rat and mouse infestations have skyrocketed since the start of lockdown, a leading insurer has reported.

Analysis by Aviva found that its partner company, JG Pest Control, had recorded a 42 per cent increase in rat infestations at its customers’ properties between April and June, compared with January and March this year.

In total, between March and June, the pest control service saw its rodent-related call-outs surge by 120 per cent compared with the same period in 2019.

Sarah Applegate, head of general insurance insights at Aviva, said: “There are a number of possible reasons behind the rise of rodents. Hungry rats 'head for UK homes as a result of lockdown'. 

“Reduced bin collections may have led to new food sources for pests at people’s homes.

“Similarly, rats and mice who were used to finding food near to pubs and restaurants may have had to look elsewhere while commercial outlets were closed. “Or there’s the chance that people may have just become more aware of mice and rats because they’ve been at home and have been able to spot them – when they might ordinarily have been at work or school.

“Most home insurance policies do not cover rodent infestations as part of their standard terms. However there are specialist policies available and certain add-ons which provide cover. “If you’re in any doubt as to whether you’re covered, it’s best to check with your provider.”

The insurer offered some tips for preventing and dealing with rodent infestations:

Mouse droppings are relatively easy to identify – the droppings themselves are about the size of a grain of rice.

You can also tell whether you have a current or historic infestation by putting on some gloves and picking them up. If the droppings crumble to dust, they are old. If they are soft, it is a sign they are new, and there is more likely to be an active problem.

Mouse urine has an ammonia-type smell and it will be left in a trail. – You might spot chewed-up nesting materials like cardboard and bitten food containers. You may also hear scurrying sounds in the walls or on the floorboards.

– Find the access point. If you take off the kickboards underneath kitchen units and you can see holes at the back of them, that is probably where the rodents are getting in. So make sure your property is secure, both internally and externally.

– Limit access to food sources. Do not leave food where mice can get it. Clean thoroughly every time you cook, and do not leave any easily accessible food in the lower cupboards of your kitchen.

– Act quickly. You could well make the situation worse if you leave it, because mice can breed very quickly. If you do not have home emergency or specialist cover in place, give yourself a maximum of a week to attempt any DIY remedies before calling a pest control company.

– Once you have got rid of an infestation, make sure mice do not come back. Do not leave food out, make sure access points are blocked, secure your bins, ensure bird feeders are placed up high and away from entrances, and make sure there is no litter around your property.

Rats:

The advice for rats is similar. But rats are far bigger and can cause more damage with their gnawing teeth.

– Rats can also pass on Weil’s disease through their urine, which, according to the NHS website, can cause symptoms in people such as a high temperature, sickness and, in serious cases, shortness of breath and coughing up blood.

– To avoid problems, focus on drainage and sewage pipes. There may be no obvious entry points when you have rats, so experts may advise a drain survey. – Rats often travel from garden to garden. They are also attracted to litter, so it is important to keep your outdoor space tidy.

Rereference: Evening Standard: Harriet Brewis 9 hrs ago 15th July 2020

Colorado squirrel tests positive for the plague for first time in US history, health body says

A squirrel has tested positive for the bubonic plague in Colorado, a health body has revealed.

It is the first time in US history that the rodent has been known to have the disease, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) said. 

The plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, and can be contracted by humans and household animals if proper precautions are not taken.

It comes after a 15-year-old boy died from the condition in Mongolia and authorities have put out warnings in China and Russia.

Humans may be infected with plague either through bites from infected fleas, by a cough from an infected animal or by direct contact.

Cats are highly susceptible to plague and may die if not treated promptly with antibiotics, the health body said.

A JCPH spokesman added: "All pet owners who live close to wild animal populations, such as prairie dog colonies or other known wildlife habitats, should consult their veterinarian about flea control for their pets to help prevent the transfer of fleas to humans.

It is thought to be the first time the rodent has become infected with the disease(PA)© Provided by Evening Standard It is thought to be the first time the rodent has become infected with the disease(PA)

"Symptoms of plague may include sudden onset of high fever, chills, headache, nausea and extreme pain and swelling of lymph nodes, occurring within two to seven days after exposure.

"Plague can be effectively treated with antibiotics when diagnosed early."

Resident were advised to not feed wild animals in the region and use precautions when handling sick animals.

a polar bear standing on top of a rock: image© Provided by Evening Standard image

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Teenager dies from bubonic plague in Mongolia after eating marmot, In Mongolia, a teenager has died from the bubonic plague after eating marmots.

The 15-year-old boy developed a high fever and died three days after consuming the meat with two friends, local media reported.

The country's National Centre for Zoonotic Diseases (NCZD) said the boy lived in the western Mongolian province of Govi-Altai.

Russia announced last week that it had stepped up patrols to stop people hunting marmots near its border with China and Mongolia

Reference: Evening Standard: Ellena Cruse 10 hrs ago 14th July 2020