Authorities are warning that dangerous surf conditions in southeast Queensland have forced the removal of shark nets and dislodged drumlines.
Queensland Shark Control Program manager Jeff Krause said the heavy easterly swell had led to the removal of shark nets at Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Kurrawa and Miami on the Gold Coast.
Authorities have also removed surface floats and hooks from drumlines at Narrowneck, Staghorn, Elkorn, Northcliffe, Broadbeach, North Burleigh, Palm Beach and Tugun.
The seas have also pushed a shark net at Bilinga closer to shore and dislodged a drumline adjacent to the Sheraton Mirage.
On the Sunshine Coast, a drumline has washed ashore at Sunshine Beach and a surface float has been found at Marcoola.
Gold Coast City Council lifeguards closed all of the city's beaches on Monday while Buddina, Kings, Marcoola and Mooloolaba beaches were all closed on the Sunshine Coast.
"Even though beaches on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts remain closed to swimming, people need to be aware, there is not the usual protection offered by shark control equipment," Mr Krause said.
"A forecast for strong winds combined with the high seas, means the shark control equipment is unlikely to be fully restored until later this week, possibly on Thursday or Friday depending on weather conditions."
The Bureau of Meteorology predicted swells up to three to 3.5 metres along the entire southern coastal region on Monday and it isn't forecast to ease until late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.
Australian Associated Press
