Swimmers reminded to stay alert in bay enclosures

26th March 2009

Redland City Council has reminded locals and visitors to stay alert when using swimming enclosures, following the discovery of a 1.4m bull shark at Redland Bay on Wednesday.

The shark had become caught in the enclosure net, and was discovered dead by Council conservation officers once the tide went out.

There had been no swimmers in the enclosure at the time the shark was found in the enclosure.

Redland Mayor Melva Hobson said that while Council routinely inspected and maintained the enclosure nets, there was still a need for swimmers to stay alert when using the enclosures.

“Inspections are regular, but we can't be there all the time, so people still need to remember they are swimming in a marine environment, and stay alert,” Cr Hobson said.

“Council has had several issues with vandalism at the Redland Bay enclosure, and recently spent $27,000 to repair damage to the nets.

“We don’t know for sure if vandalism led to this week’s incident, but it would certainly be very frustrating if that was the case.

“We ask regular users of this, or any other swimming enclosure, in the Redlands to not only be aware of marine wildlife, but also to keep an eye for any suspicious behaviour that might put other swimmers at risk.”

To report suspected vandalism at a swimming enclosure, phone 3829 8364