The expansion of Queensland’s lethal shark control program will be challenged in court should it escape a looming entanglement with federal laws, according to marine scientists and policy experts.

The Queensland government announced plans to pump $88m over four years into the state’s shark management plan, which would see shark nets and baited drum lines rolled out at more beaches, as well as the expanded use of non-lethal technology such as drone surveillance.

The Crisafulli government announced its plan was one that “prioritised beach goers’ safety”, which it said was “put at risk” by the previous government to “appease radical agendas”.

“It’s clear the program had lost its way under previous Labor governments who failed to act and put people after the demands of environmental activists,” the primary industries minister, Tony Perrett, said in a statement.

But Humane World for Animals marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck said the Liberal National party was “simply playing politics” with a highly emotive issue, describing their shark policy as a “thinly veiled ruse” to appear supportive of the fishing industry by picking a legal fight “they know they’ll lose”.

Many commercial anglers are clamouring for more sharks to be culled amid rising rates of depredation of their catch.

Chlebeck confirmed HWA was already looking into a legal challenge – but federal intervention could mean that it “may not even come to that”.