15 January, 2004
Grey nurse shark fishing closures in force
The Department of Primary Industries is reminding the State’s fishing sectors that closures at four key grey nurse shark aggregation sites in south-east Queensland are now in force.
Fishing and diving regulations came into effect on 19 December 2003 in a move to protect one of Australia’s most critically endangered marine species.
Only 300 to 500 grey nurse sharks are estimated to be left on Australia’s east coast.
Despite not being a threat to people, the grey nurse shark was hunted almost to extinction in the 1960s due to its fierce appearance.
A ban is already in place on taking grey nurse sharks in Queensland, New South Wales and Commonwealth waters and they are also listed as critically endangered under Commonwealth legislation.
However, Queensland Fisheries Service (QFS) fisheries resource manager Mark Doohan said more action was needed to ensure their survival.
Mr Doohan said new fishing restrictions had been introduced at four grey nurse aggregation sites including Wolf Rock off Double Island Point, and Flat Rock, Henderson Rock and Cherub’s Cave in the Moreton Bay Marine Park.
There are also diving restrictions within the Moreton Bay Marine Park sites.
The new regulations were introduced after extensive consultation with industry groups and the public.
“The fishing restrictions are aimed at protecting the sharks from fishing hooks and other fishing activities that can harm them,” he said.
“Hooks are a serious problem and can become embedded in the shark and cause serious infection as well as disrupt their feeding and digestion, causing them to starve.”
Mr Doohan said it was also believed that diving too close to the sharks or in large groups could affect their feeding and breeding behaviour.
He encouraged the fishing community and divers to become familiar with the new regulations to help protect the remaining population.
The new regulations include all forms of fishing banned at Wolf Rock and nearly all forms of fishing banned with limited exemptions at Flat Rock, Henderson Rock and Cherub’s Cave.
There are new diving regulations at Cherub’s Cave, Henderson Rock and Flat Rock.
For full details about the fishing restrictions call the DPI Call Centre on 13 25 23 or visit Fishweb at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb. For more information about the diving restrictions visit www.epa.qld.gov.au or call (07) 3821 9000.
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Further information: Mark Doohan (07) 3225 1888
Media Officer: Liz Smith Ph: +61 7 3224 7757
Department of Primary Industries Media Unit
GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001. Fax +61 7 3239 0860
DPI Call Centre 8am-6pm weekdays on local call 13 25 23