jaybee
15-10-2003, 04:04 PM
Premier & Trade, Peter Beattie
14/10/03
The Queensland Government is seeking public comment on a range of proposed measures to protect grey nurse sharks, which have been hunted to the brink of extinction.
Premier Peter Beattie and Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk announced in State Parliament the proposals to restrict fishing and diving around six aggregation sites for grey nurse sharks in south-east Queensland waters.
Mr Beattie said the regulatory impact statement, developed by the Queensland Fisheries Services and Environmental Protection Agency, would restrict fishing and diving in the six areas where grey nurses are known to aggregate.
The aggregation sites are Wolf Rock (off Double Island Point), and five sites in Moreton Bay Marine Park: Gotham City, Flat Rock, Cherub's Cave, Henderson Rock and China Wall.
"The grey nurse looks fearsome, but is in fact a timid species that feeds on squid, fish and crustaceans," Mr Beattie said.
"Because it is easily mistaken for a man-eater, the shark has been hunted to the brink of extinction
"It is listed as critically endangered under Commonwealth legislation, and is one of Australia's most endangered marine animals."
"There is a ban on taking grey nurses in Queensland, NSW and Commonwealth waters, and breaching the Queensland ban can land a $75,000 penalty," he said.
Despite these measures, the estimated east coast population is between 300 and 500 grey nurses.
The Government is seeking public comment on whether they should be listed as endangered under state legislation.
"Grey nurses have one of the lowest known birth rates of any shark species, so the cards are not stacked in their favour," Mr Beattie said.
Mr Palaszczuk said the proposed restrictions to fishing involved a total annual closure to fishing around Wolf Rock near Double Island Point; and annual closure to all forms of fishing in the Moreton Bay Marine Park aggregation sites except for restricted spanner crabbing and aquarium fish collection.
"Fishing hooks are one of the biggest problems. They become embedded in the sharks and can cause serious infection and also disrupt their feeding and digestion causing the animal to starve. Other forms of fishing can also pose a threat to the sharks," he said.
"It is also believed that diving too close to sharks or in large groups can affect their breeding or feeding behaviour."
Mr Palaszczuk said it is also proposed to restrict diving at the six.
It is proposed that divers must not:
- Dive between 6pm and 6am;
- Touch or feed grey nurse sharks;
- Chase or harass or interrupt the swimming patterns of grey nurse sharks;
- Block cave entrances or gutters, or to entrap grey nurse sharks;
- Dive in groups of more than 10 divers; or
- Use mechanical or electro-acoustic apparatus including, but not to limited to scooters, horns and shark repelling devices.
It is proposed to list the grey nurse shark as a protected animal under provisions of the Nature Conservation Act, which would mean the maximum penalty for taking, using or keeping it would be up to $225,000.
Public responses to the RIS are due by 17 November 2003.
Copies of the RIS and more information visit the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au or phone the DPI Call Centre on 13 25 23.
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 3004 or 0418 197 350
14 October 2003
14/10/03
The Queensland Government is seeking public comment on a range of proposed measures to protect grey nurse sharks, which have been hunted to the brink of extinction.
Premier Peter Beattie and Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk announced in State Parliament the proposals to restrict fishing and diving around six aggregation sites for grey nurse sharks in south-east Queensland waters.
Mr Beattie said the regulatory impact statement, developed by the Queensland Fisheries Services and Environmental Protection Agency, would restrict fishing and diving in the six areas where grey nurses are known to aggregate.
The aggregation sites are Wolf Rock (off Double Island Point), and five sites in Moreton Bay Marine Park: Gotham City, Flat Rock, Cherub's Cave, Henderson Rock and China Wall.
"The grey nurse looks fearsome, but is in fact a timid species that feeds on squid, fish and crustaceans," Mr Beattie said.
"Because it is easily mistaken for a man-eater, the shark has been hunted to the brink of extinction
"It is listed as critically endangered under Commonwealth legislation, and is one of Australia's most endangered marine animals."
"There is a ban on taking grey nurses in Queensland, NSW and Commonwealth waters, and breaching the Queensland ban can land a $75,000 penalty," he said.
Despite these measures, the estimated east coast population is between 300 and 500 grey nurses.
The Government is seeking public comment on whether they should be listed as endangered under state legislation.
"Grey nurses have one of the lowest known birth rates of any shark species, so the cards are not stacked in their favour," Mr Beattie said.
Mr Palaszczuk said the proposed restrictions to fishing involved a total annual closure to fishing around Wolf Rock near Double Island Point; and annual closure to all forms of fishing in the Moreton Bay Marine Park aggregation sites except for restricted spanner crabbing and aquarium fish collection.
"Fishing hooks are one of the biggest problems. They become embedded in the sharks and can cause serious infection and also disrupt their feeding and digestion causing the animal to starve. Other forms of fishing can also pose a threat to the sharks," he said.
"It is also believed that diving too close to sharks or in large groups can affect their breeding or feeding behaviour."
Mr Palaszczuk said it is also proposed to restrict diving at the six.
It is proposed that divers must not:
- Dive between 6pm and 6am;
- Touch or feed grey nurse sharks;
- Chase or harass or interrupt the swimming patterns of grey nurse sharks;
- Block cave entrances or gutters, or to entrap grey nurse sharks;
- Dive in groups of more than 10 divers; or
- Use mechanical or electro-acoustic apparatus including, but not to limited to scooters, horns and shark repelling devices.
It is proposed to list the grey nurse shark as a protected animal under provisions of the Nature Conservation Act, which would mean the maximum penalty for taking, using or keeping it would be up to $225,000.
Public responses to the RIS are due by 17 November 2003.
Copies of the RIS and more information visit the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au or phone the DPI Call Centre on 13 25 23.
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 3004 or 0418 197 350
14 October 2003