qld.gov.au
Department of Primary Industries

Drumlines:

  • catch sharks using bait attached to shark fishing hooks
  • do not create a barrier between water users and sharks
  • do not prevent all sharks from entering an area.

Locations

Traditional drumlines are used across the Queensland coastline, including in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. They are installed offshore, away from water users.

View the map of shark control equipment at Queensland beaches.

Design

Drumlines consist of a baited hook attached to a buoy and floats, attached to an anchor on the sea floor.

Diagram showing a drumline setup with a buoy, baited hook, chain, anchor, and floats in the ocean, designed to manage shark populations near the coastline.
Diagram of the drumline setup for shark management near beaches

Captured animals

In the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park:

  • if a bull, tiger or white shark is captured, the contractor will tag the shark, relocate it and release it, whenever possible and safe to do so
  • all other sharks and animals are released whenever possible.

For all other coastal areas:

  • target shark species captured on drumlines are removed and euthanised
  • non-target shark species and other animals are released alive whenever possible.

View the catch report data.

Maintenance

The nets are serviced daily by independent contractors, weather permitting.

They are removed from the water for maintenance and replaced at least once every 21 days.

Last updated: 11 Sep 2026