Protesters slam shark culling programme

"We know the risks. Leave the sharks alone!"

Thousands of animal rights supporters filled the beaches of Australia Saturday to condemn a controversial shark culling programme.

Officials in Western Australia have begun baiting drum lines off the shore at the state's most popular beaches.

The traps are only meant to catch sharks three metres or larger, but opponents of the measure say other marine animals are being put at risk too.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) SEA SHEPHERD CONSERVATION SOCIETY BOARD MEMBER, KATE FAEHRMANN SAYING:

"Drum lines are indiscriminate killers, they'll kill sharks whether they're two metres, one metre, three metres or more. As well as dolphins and turtles and other things. That's why the community doesn't want it and what's amazing is that so many people in Australia loves sharks. This has demonstrated, I think, something about our national psyche. That despite Jaws, despite all the fear, people are coming out in thousands across the countr