TAS: Grey nurse sharks could disappear with a decade

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2003
TAS: Grey nurse sharks could disappear with a decade

By Libby Sutherland

HOBART, Dec 4 AAP - Grey nurse sharks could disappear from eastern Australian waters
within a decade, an expert warned today.

Researcher Dr Corey Bradshaw, from the University of Tasmania's Antarctic Wildlife
Research Unit, said a study to project future populations of the critically endangered
species had found it could be wiped out in as little as six years.

This was, however, the worst case scenario.

"The likely estimates of population size and additive fisheries-related mortality for
the grey nurse shark in south-eastern Australian waters indicate that the species is likely
to become quasi-extinct within the foreseeable future," the study says.

Jointly conducted with NSW Fisheries and Macquarie University, it is due to be published
early next year in the prestigious Biological Conservation journal.

It is believed just 500 grey nurse sharks roam the waters off Australia's east coast,
ranging as far north as Wolf Rock, near Brisbane, to Montague Island, off the far-south
coast of NSW.

Large numbers of sharks, which look fierce but are not known to attack humans, were
wiped out by spearfishermen in the 1950s and `60s.

Federal Environment Minister Dr David Kemp today announced a plan to establish a marine
reserve to protect sharks in commonwealth waters off the NSW coast in an area known as
Cod Grounds.

All activities posing a threat to the species, including fishing, will be prohibited
within the 1km sanctuary zone, which is believed to be home to about 75 sharks and a popular
mating area.

Dr Kemp said in a statement the proposal would be open to public comment for two months
before the reserve - about four nautical miles off the coast near Port Macquarie - was
enacted under legislation.

Dr Bradshaw welcomed the move, but said more action was needed, particularly in the
research arena.

"The east coast grey nurse shark has been a protected species in Australia for nearly
20 years, but its population is now estimated to be at perilously low levels and is still
in decline," he said.

"We were certainly quite alarmed by the pace these animals could go extinct if we don't
do anything."

He said the shark's longevity coupled with late maturity, low reproductive rate, specific
habitat requirements and limited distribution meant they were particularly vulnerable.

About 12 sharks were being killed every year as by-catch by commercial and recreational
fishers - 75 per cent of them female.

Dr Kemp said while the federal government had taken a leadership role in protecting
the shark it required support from relevant state governments, as it was predominantly
found in state-managed waters.

"NSW is currently reviewing their protection measures for the grey nurse shark and
Queensland are also exploring the options for protecting the shark within their jurisdiction,"

he said.

AAP las/tma

KEYWORD: SHARK

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