Standing before a crowd of mourners earlier this year, the father of a teenage lifeguard killed in a shark attack begged people not to avoid going to the beach.

Following the tragic death of Charize Zmuda at Woorim Beach, north of Brisbane, the enduring debate about how best to protect people from sharks was reignited, and the state government soon announced an expansion of its shark management program complete with new shark nets and drum lines.

The problem? There were already 18 drum lines deployed in the waters off Woorim Beach.

Hundreds gathered on Woorim Beach in February to pay tribute to Charlize Zmuda. Credit: Darren England

Ecologist Vincent Raoult says traditional shark control methods “just aren’t very effective at protecting people”.

“It’s time to start thinking about

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