Video of the Week: The Fatal Coast

By Dan Hutton on August 14, 2015 in Video

The Fatal Coast from Tracks Magazine on Vimeo.

The shark situation has been getting a bit out of control lately up north.

Given the shark hysteria around the Ballina/Byron area, Tracks magazine decided to hit the road and travel to Lennox Head and Ballina on the North Coast of New South Wales to speak to members of the community about the recent spate of shark attacks in the area.

There have been five shark attacks since February – one fatal – along with numerous incidents that have remained unreported and have been shared anecdotally around the community.

For this exclusive on-the-ground documentary, Tracks spoke to professional surfer Adam Melling, Ballina Mayor David Wright, Southern Cross University Marine Biologist Doctor Daniel Bucher, Air T&G Helicopter pilot Tim Latimer, Marine Rescue Chief Commanders John Donohue & Lorraine Leuckel, Ballina Fisherman’s Co-Op representative Josh Kilgour, Positive Change for Marine Life’s Courtney Jackson, Glassing Division’s Julian Webb, resident shaper Joel Fitzgerald and many other members of the Northern Rivers community to hear how the recent events have affected the region and whether or not something can be done.

Debate is raging at the moment between the cull supporters and the protectionists. What do you think should happen?

Either way, I’m shit scared and will be happy to stay high and dry next time I’m up that way!