The Palaszczuk government has been accused of endangering the tourism industry by leaving the shark problem unresolved.

Drum lines were removed from north Queensland beaches last month with no plan B in place, leaving swimmers vulnerable.

Two British tourists have since been attacked near Whitsunday Island, one of whom had his right foot bitten off. The incident is being covered extensively by UK media.

Coalition Deputy Leader Tim Mander has accused the government of failing to recognise their priorities – protecting life, and protecting the reputation of the tourism industry.

“The last thing we need in this state at the moment is anything that will affect investment and affect tourism, and of course affect jobs.

“We have the worst unemployment rate in the country, so we should be doing everything possible to protect our tourism industry.”

The removal of 27 drum lines and 160 shark nets came about after the state government lost a legal battle with animal rights group Humane Society International.

“They are using every excuse under the sun,” Mr Mander tells Steve Price.

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Independent Whitsundays MP Jason Costigan has also weighed in, advocating for shark control measures to be employed in his electorate.

“I am not some cowboy from the tropics, who just wants to indiscriminately shoot sharks and cull sharks, but I do want to see some common sense,” he tells Ben Fordham.

“I want to place a priority on human life.”

Image: Getty/Alistair Pollock