A man has been found dead off North Stradbroke Island after failing to return on a boat contracted to carry out the Queensland government's shark control program.
The 29-year-old was found in waters of South Passage between North Stradbroke and Moreton islands by a contractor about 9am on Tuesday, a Queensland Police spokeswoman said.
She said the death was being investigated as a workplace incident and not a shark attack.
Hooks use to catch sharks - and six-metre deep nets set in waters of 10-12 metres deep - have been used by the state government at 86 beaches between Cairns and the Gold Coast since 1962.
"My heart goes out to the young man's family in the wake of this tragedy," Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said.
"I expect water police, the coroner, the Australian Marine Safety Authority and Work Safe Queensland will investigate."
Friends have posted tributes to the man online, with one writing: "I luved your ability to fill a room with laughter..u leave behind a lot of broken hearted peeps."
