News release - Protecting the grey nurse shark

[QLD_Fisheries]

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/news/NewsReleases/13826.html

The information contained in this document is distributed by the Queensland Government for information purposes only. All reasonable steps have been made to ensure the information is accurate at the time of publication. For more information visit the DPI Fishweb site at http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

[bugman]

Small exclusion zones not the answer to protect grey nurse sharks

The Department of Primary Industries believes a call to introduce a 200m exclusion zone around key grey nurse shark aggregation sites is not the answer to protecting this critically endangered species.

The Queensland Fisheries (QFS) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have released a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) that proposes a range of measures to protect the estimated 300-500 sharks that remain on Australia’s east coast.

The proposals, currently out for public comment, include restricting fishing and diving in the six key grey nurse aggregation sites in south-east Queensland.

The six sites are Wolf Rock (off Double Island Point); and five sites in the Moreton Bay Marine Park including Gotham City, Flat Rock, Cherub’s Cave, Henderson Rock and China Wall.

QFS fisheries resource manager Mark Doohan said both the commercial and recreational fishing industries supported a move to protect the sharks but called for 200m exclusions zone around the aggregation sites, rather than the 1.2 kilometre zones proposed in the RIS.

They also propose that trolling still be allowed in the exclusion zones. Trolling is an active line fishing method which involves trailing a fishing line and hook behind a moving boat to catch fish such as Spanish mackerel.

Mr Doohan said small exclusion zones and fishing restrictions that catered for trolling within these zones had been tried in New South Wales but were found to be ineffective in stopping hooking.

“QFS is still investigating New South Wales’ findings but we don’t think this is the best option given that hooks have been documented as the major cause of death for these animals,” he said.

“There would be little point in following the measures currently in place in New South Wales, particularly as the government is currently reviewing how effective they are.

“Hooks become embedded in the sharks and can cause serious infection and also disrupt their feeding and digestion causing the animal to starve.”

Mr Doohan said it was also believed that diving too close to sharks or in large groups could affect their feeding and breeding behaviour and the proposals contained in the RIS aimed to address these impacts.

He said because of their fierce appearance, grey nurse sharks had been hunted almost to extinction. These sharks are not known to be dangerous to humans.

“They are listed as critically endangered under Commonwealth legislation and are one of the country’s most endangered marine animals so it is important we move to protect the remaining population,” Mr Doohan said.

The public has until November 17 to comment in writing on the recommendations outlined in the RIS.

Copies and more information can be found on the Fishweb site at http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb or through the DPI Call Centre on 13 25 23.

[Jeremy]

This is a serious issue that all recreational fishers who fish or might ever fish areas such as Flat rock and Wolf rock should be concerned about. There are six proposed areas for the protection of the grey nurse shark and they are BIG - about 1.2 km radius around the key features. The proposal from the DPI and EPA is that divers will continue to be allowed access but all forms of fishing will be banned.

This is a further restriction on recreational anglers access to good fishing grounds after the 30% green zone allocation in the great barrier reef.

My opinion is that they could at least allow trolling to continue. Surely, the baited drum lines off the swimming beaches pose a far greater threat to the grey nurse sharks than anglers?

Call the DPI on 13 25 23 and ask for a copy of the RIS. It must be filled out and sent in by 17th Nov. We need as many anglers as possible to lobby the government or we risk losing some of the best mackerel and wahoo and reef fishing grounds in SE Qld.

Jeremy

[bugman]

Gentlemen,

I think none of us want to see any species wiped out - regardless of animal. Having said that we'd like to reasonable conditions that take into account the wishes of all users groups in the resource.

Have a look at these threads from the divers perspective - especially those based here in SEQLD.

This one is exactly on this topic about how thay're rallying to save the area to recreational diving.

http://www.diveoz.com.au/discussion_forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4974

This one is on the rift between rec fishos and rec divers. It's amazing how ingnorant some people are,

http://www.diveoz.com.au/discussion_forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4981

The ban (for rec fishos) is a fait accomplit - it's the exclusion zone that is now up for debate.

Please have your say on the RIS

Bugman

[mackmauler]

Ive been informed that Mal Starkey from point lookout will be on stateline ch 2...730 #tomorrow night discussing his thoughts on the proposal.

[wizard]

I am an area co-ordinator with the Qld Frog Society and have seen first hand what happens when a species vanish.So how do we help the grey nurse,it is simple=51 that is it 51! When 51% of all parties that #want to save this shark only than will it be saved.If nobody except for reseachers went anywhere near these area's for 10-15 years and the shark numbers grow guess what we can always go back and start fishing these area's again.
But what if in the next 2-3 years the sharks dissappear then the next time a species is in trouble it will be 20klm exclusion zone and never to be fished again and we as a group will not have a leg to stand on.It has to be all in or all out :-/
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #Wizard

[spike2]

has a grey nurse ever been caught on a lure ?

[rick k]

I wonder how the grey nurses we see in the big public, and open to the public aquaria got there?

Re hooks, how are the sharks sustaining hook damage? I have never met anyone who has caught a grey nurse.

[ScubaDiver]

Here is a pic of a GNS with hooks enbeded in it.

[aquarius]

Hi guys..I was chatting to a work mate today about this subject and he informed me that he has dived Flatrock many times and has seen countless numbers of hooks hanging out of the grey nurse sharks mouth,s.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.......We must do something to protect whats left of this species.....just 1 question...are these sharks in these specific areas all year round or just a certain time of year???????.
Cheers Brent