Queensland's Miss Earth 2024 winner campaigns for shark net removal
Jessica Lane is the first Aussie to win an international beauty pageant since Jennifer Hawkins in 2004. (Supplied: Jessica Lane)
In short:
Sunshine Coast journalism student Jessica Lane was recently crowned Miss Earth 2024 in the Philippines.
The 22-year-old is campaigning to have shark nets removed along Australia's east coast.
What's next?
Ms Lane will travel to 50 countries to learn more about their environmental and sustainability practices.
Jessica Lane admits she is more comfortable climbing trees than being on a catwalk, but the Queensland journalism student's new-found title of Miss Earth 2024 is one she is taking seriously.
The 22-year-old last month became the first Aussie to win an international beauty pageant since Jennifer Hawkins was crowned Miss Universe in 2004.
"I'd never done pageants before, it's not a world that I'm well versed in, so it was really unexpected," Ms Lane said.
"I'm the kind of girl to climb a tree and fall down just to try and save a baby bird and not give a damn about the scratches."
Miss Earth is an international beauty pageant based in the Philippines that focuses on educating young people on environmental issues.
Jessica Lane was embraced by other contestants on stage in the Phillipines after being named Miss Earth 2024. (Supplied: Jessica Lane)
The Sunshine Coast local said one of her priorities after winning the title was seeing the removal of shark nets along Australia's east coast.
"A lot of people think they're there to protect us or they're keeping us safe," she said.
"But the reality is, in Queensland, they don't span the length of the beach.
"Any shark can get through that."
Netting record numbers
The Queensland government uses shark nets and drum lines at 86 of Queensland's most popular beaches.
They are designed to keep swimmers safe by targeting "dangerous" species of shark and entangling them.
But data from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries shows the number of marine life caught in the nets has hit a new record, more than doubling in the past five years.
Shark nets have been used in Queensland since 1962. (Supplied: Queensland government)
This year, 1,422 marine animals were caught in the nets, compared to 642 animals in 2019.
This year's figures include eight humpback whales, 30 turtles, and 1,307 sharks, of which 1,021 were not a target species.
It is not known how many animals survived the entrapments.
Ms Lane said she believed it was time to remove the nets for good and invest in other technologies.
"We have cell phones now and we haven't updated the shark nets? That's just crazy," she said.
A Loggerhead sea turtle trapped in shark nets off Queensland. (Supplied: Envoy Foundation )
Human life comes first
The Queensland government said it was currently reviewing its Shark Management Plan with the final report due next year.
"It will provide advice to the government on future options for the program from July 2025 onwards," a spokesperson said.
The program includes trials of shark-spotting drones, drum lines and circle hooks, which are considered to be less lethal for non-target species.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the government would always prioritise swimmer safety.
"Human life must come first," Mr Perrett said.
"I am supportive of new and proven technologies provided they protect people."
Ms Lane says other marine life, such as turtles and stingrays, are caught in shark nets. (Supplied: Jessica Lane)
Ms Lane said she hoped to learn about other technologies being used around the world, when she visits 50 countries over the next year as part of her Miss Earth duties.
"There's a group of scientists in South Africa who've developed these artificial kelp farms," she said.
"They are made up of these little magnetic responses that send sharks away but allow all other animals, including people, to swim through."
Ms Lane says she wants to learn more about a magnetic shark deterrent in South Africa that resembles a kelp farm. (Supplied: SharkSafe Barrier)
Rose Marimon from the conservation group Envoy Foundation said Ms Lane's support for the Nets Out Now campaign amplified calls for the removal of shark nets in Queensland and New South Wales.
"The world is watching, and Miss Earth 2024 … has made it clear that removing shark nets is at the top of her priority list," Ms Marimon said.
'Young David Attenborough'
Ms Lane said her ultimate goal was to become an environmental champion like famous British broadcaster David Attenborough.
"I've been studying a double major in journalism, creative writing and publishing, with the goal of becoming an environmental journalist," she said.
"When I graduate, I want to be a bit of a bit of a young David Attenborough."
Ms Lane says she wants to be an environmental journalist. (Supplied: Jessica Lane)
Ms Lane began volunteering at Australia Zoo when she was eight years old and credits her environmental awareness to her upbringing.
"I learned from a very young age how simple actions, like the products that you buy, have an impact on the environment," she said.
"So that's a big part of why I'm pursuing this mission — if people just learn from a younger age the impacts of very small actions.
"It can raise a whole new generation of people who try to protect their earth."