Conservation groups say graphic photos of sharks left to die on drumlines should convince the Queensland government to finally ditch its controversial culling program.
Humane Society International and the Australian Marine Conservation Society on Monday renewed their calls for the immediate removal of 173 drumlines on the Great Barrier Reef.
They released photos showing two ensnared tiger sharks and a bull shark, which were hooked and left to slowly die off the coast of Magnetic Island.
HSI Head of Campaigns Nicola Beynon said the photos left no doubt that the animals met a "cruel" end.
"These images show the intense suffering inflicted on marine animals by this outdated practice. Not only does the Queensland Government insist on slaughtering sharks, but it has recently passed legislation making it illegal to document the horror."
The Queensland Government's Fisheries Amendment Bill 2018, which will come into effect soon, outlaws being within 20 metres of shark control equipment on the grounds of "public safety".
HSI recently challenged the government's shark cull program in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Their lawyers argued the program is in conflict with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's responsibility to protect the reef.
The tribunal, which has reserved its decision, also heard evidence that the shark cull program made no difference to the risk of shark bites.
