The Environmental Protection Agency has received as many as 6,751 submissions and two petitions with a total of 25,000 signatures on Western Australia's proposal to continue Western Australian Shark Hazard Mitigation Drum Line Program.

The $1.28 million trial saw baited hooks on drum lines kept one kilometre from shore on certain WA beaches to catch sharks. As a part of the program, white, bull and tiger sharks longer than three metres were shot dead. The program was designed to reduce the risk of shark attack to the public.

A number of fatal shark attacks have taken place and seven people have been killed in these attacks in three years. In March, the EPA received 23,000 public submissions, but then also it declined to carry out formal investigation of the program.

EPA chairman Paul Vogel said at that time, they did not carry out investigation on drum line trial that began in January and continued till the end of April as the short-term program was expected to have negligible environmental impact.

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has presented a letter of concern signed by 305 scientists who have raised concerns over the WA government's proposal.

"The Expert Letter demonstrates that there is no evidence that the cull will make beaches safer, and highlights the potentially significant environmental impact of removing apex predators from the marine environment", said Siewert.

The scientists said in the letter that the program has not considered similar programs carried out in Hawaii and Queensland. All these programs were found to be ineffective in reducing shark bites.

Not only drum lines are ineffective, but they are indiscriminate as well, said researchers. They have said so as around 80% of the sharks captured are not a major threat to humans.