Greens want non-lethal shark control

Environmentalists are urging the Queensland government to mandate non-lethal methods when it updates its Great Barrier Reef shark control program.

The program, which is now open for public consultation, currently recommends the use of drum lines.

Greens Senator Larissa Waters says this technique has been responsible for the death of 85,000 marine animals since the program was introduced more than 50 years ago.

She has urged the government to consider non-lethal methods such as barriers, sonars and aerial patrols, which are currently being trialled in NSW and Western Australia.