The death of Far North Queensland spearfisher Michael Jensz following a shark attack at Kennedy Shoal has shocked local communities and reignited discussion around the growing risks associated with spearfishing in Australian waters.
Mr Jensz, 39, from Mount Sheridan in Cairns, died after being attacked while spearfishing from a private boat approximately 160 kilometres south of Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef. The incident occurred around midday at Kennedy Shoal, a reef site located roughly 50 kilometres offshore.
According to Queensland Police, one of Mr Jensz’s companions pulled him from the water after the attack before emergency crews met the vessel at the Hull River boat ramp. Despite efforts by paramedics, he died from a serious head injury.
Authorities have not confirmed the shark species involved. The Queensland Department of Primary Industries is assisting the investigation but has not publicly commented on the incident.
The fatal attack has deeply affected both the local fishing community and experienced spearfishers across Far North Queensland, many of whom say the tragedy reflects the increasing dangers faced in waters where sharks and fishing activity often overlap.
Spearfishing Community Left Shaken
Mission Beach spearfisher Ebony Harper said the attack struck close to home for many people who regularly dive in nearby reef systems.
“I saw the police officer at the ramp stopping people from coming in and you think to yourself, ‘That could have been me out there today,’” Ms Harper told the ABC.
She described the incident as a harsh reminder of the risks involved in spearfishing, particularly in remote reef areas where sharks are commonly present.
Although Kennedy Shoal is not considered one of the region’s busiest spearfishing locations, Harper said many divers regularly operate in nearby waters with similar conditions.
She also claimed shark encounters appeared to be becoming more frequent.
“The shark population there is certainly increasing and they’re becoming very in tune with the sound of motors and spear guns,” she said.
Despite her concerns, Harper stressed that sharks themselves should not be blamed for attacks occurring in their natural habitat.
“At the end of the day, you’re the one that’s in their environment and you’ve got to respect that,” she said.
Her comments reflect a broader debate unfolding across northern Australia about how humans interact with shark populations in coastal and offshore waters.
Commercial Fishers Raise Concerns About Shark Numbers
Tully Heads commercial fisher Geoff Ryder said large sharks had become increasingly common in reef areas around Kennedy Shoal and nearby fishing grounds.
According to Ryder, commercial operators often lose portions of their catch to sharks before fish can be retrieved from the water.
“You’re competing with them for the fish,” he said.
He described the area as a productive fishing location containing coral trout and mackerel but argued shark activity had intensified in recent years.
Ryder suggested authorities should consider discussions around shark population management, including the possibility of targeted culling programmes.
“The numbers are getting so high up north now and there’s no other control for them,” he said.
However, marine scientists strongly dispute claims that shark populations are universally increasing.
Marine Experts Reject Calls for Shark Culling
James Cook University marine biology professor Jodie Rummer said shark culling would not address the underlying causes of shark-human interactions.
Dr Rummer explained that while some localised shark populations may appear stable, many shark species globally are facing serious population decline due to overfishing, bycatch and climate pressures.
“It’s probably one of the most imperilled groups of organisms on the planet right now,” she said.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), more than one-third of shark and ray species worldwide are currently threatened with extinction.
Global Shark Population Pressures
| Threat Factor | Impact on Shark Species |
|---|---|
| Overfishing | Major decline in populations |
| Bycatch in commercial fishing | High mortality rates |
| Climate change | Alters migration and feeding behaviour |
| Habitat degradation | Reduces breeding environments |
| Illegal fin trade | Continued pressure on vulnerable species |
Dr Rummer argued that increased human activity in marine environments is contributing significantly to shark encounters.
“What we can say with more confidence is that there are more people in the water,” she explained.
She also said sharks naturally follow food sources, water temperatures and fish activity, meaning encounters around spearfishing operations are difficult to avoid entirely.
Why Spearfishing Increases Shark Encounters
Shark expert Dr Johan Gustafson said spearfishing inherently creates conditions likely to attract sharks.
When fish are speared underwater, they often release vibrations, distress signals and blood into the surrounding area, which sharks can detect over considerable distances.
“You’re fishing while they’re fishing in their food source,” Dr Gustafson explained.
“You’re also creating a stressed fish when you shoot them, so this is just what’s going to happen.”
He added that experienced spearfishers are generally well educated about shark behaviour and risk management.
Divers are often advised to avoid murky water, bait balls and large feeding events where visibility is reduced and predatory activity is heightened.
Factors That Increase Shark Interaction Risk During Spearfishing
| Risk Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Speared fish distress | Attracts predators |
| Blood in water | Stimulates feeding behaviour |
| Murky visibility | Increases mistaken identity risk |
| Large bait schools | Draws multiple predators |
| Remote reef environments | Higher shark presence |
Dr Gustafson said sharks engaged in feeding behaviour may sometimes misidentify divers or swimmers during active hunting situations.
However, he stressed such incidents remain statistically rare given the large number of people entering Australian waters each year.
Australia’s Shark Attack Statistics Remain Relatively Low
According to data from the Australian Shark-Incident Database maintained by Taronga Conservation Society Australia, fatal shark attacks remain uncommon despite Australia’s reputation for shark activity.
Most interactions do not result in serious injury, and fatalities occur only occasionally compared with the millions of annual ocean users across the country.
Queensland authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Jensz’s death while local communities mourn the loss of a well-known member of the Far North Queensland spearfishing community.
Cassowary Coast Mayor Teresa Millwood offered condolences to the family, saying the community’s thoughts were with them during an extremely difficult time.
For many divers and fishers in the region, the tragedy has also become another reminder of the unpredictable nature of entering waters shared with large marine predators.
