7.3 Animal Related

VERSION 1.0 – DECEMBER 2023

Purpose: To provide guidelines for operators around incidents and reporting in relation to animal related incidents.

Scope: This is relevant to all operators in the State Operations Communications Centre (SurfCom).

1. Sharks
   1.1 Operators must create an incident when a shark sighting has occurred, this will be either be a confirmed (SLSQ member/staff) or unconfirmed (member of the public) sighting.
   1.2 Operators must report any shark related interactions to the appropriate agencies.
   1.3 Beach closure is up to the discretion of the Lifeguard, Patrol Captain, or Supervisor; this will be dependent on the behaviour of the shark. If a threat is detected the beach must be closed for a minimum of 1 hour.

2. Dogs
   2.1 Operators must create an incident if there is a dog related incident that have involved or been witnessed by SLSQ services.
   2.2 Operators must report any dog related attacks to the local government.

3. Crocodiles
   3.1 Operators must create an incident when a crocodile sighting has occurred, this will be either be a confirmed (SLSQ member/staff) or unconfirmed (member of the public) sighting.
   3.2 Operators must report any crocodile related interactions to the appropriate agencies.
   3.3 Operators must send a notification to the appropriate pager groups if a crocodile incident occurs.
   3.4 If there are confirmed crocodile sightings the beach must be closed for a minimum of 4 hours.

4. Tropical Marine Stingers
   4.1 On receipt of a confirmed Irukandji or Box-Jellyfish Sting (Tropical Marine Stingers), Operators must advise the regional team via pager message.
   4.2 Operators must notify the relevant supervisor if there is a tropical marine sting related incident within their region.
   4.3 If tropical marine stingers are found in the stinger drag the beach must be closed for a minimum of 24 hours.
   4.4 Operators must notify all close by units that an incident has occurred.

5. Injured Animals
   5.1 Operators must report all injured marine animals on the shore to SeaWorld.
   5.2 Operators must report all injured wildlife to RSPCA Queensland.
   5.3 Operators must report all injured Sharks (in the water) to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.