NSW Govt adds Hammerhead Sharks to Protected Species List.

[Boat Hog]

The NSW Government has listed two species of Hammerhead Sharks as Protected Species.

NSW Primary Industries Minister, Katrina Hodgkinson, said the Great Hammerhead Shark
has been listed as a Vulnerable Species and the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark as an
Endangered Species in NSW.

“Following a detailed assessment, both species are now totally protected, meaning that
they may no longer be taken by recreational or commercial fishers,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

Further info; http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/ass...EAD-SHARKS.pdf

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/...or-hammerheads


NSW is home to three species of Hammerhead Shark, Smooth, Scalloped and Great Hammerhead. NSW DPI advises that the three species are readily identifiable by examining their teeth and a notch in their head but concedes that correct identification to species level by fishers may be problematic.

So, if you want to catch a Hammerhead in NSW, you are going to have to become a bit of an expert at identifying one! Best bet is to go fishing with a Marine Biologist and a Lawyer on board!!

Cheers,

[PADDLES]

does anyone actually go out and target hammerheads??????????? i can't imagine they'd be fantastic eating

[Boat Hog]

I would imagine the biggest loss is to Gamefishers - one less species for tag and release.

[hooknpull]

Hammerhead is actually one of the best eating shark I've ever tried...

[cuzzamundi]

No worries for tag and release - still legal. Just can't kill/be in possession.

Cuzza

I would imagine the biggest loss is to Gamefishers - one less species for tag and release.

[PADDLES]

well there ya go hookn, i never would have thought anyone would have bothered

[HeadBanger]

Similar bans have been passed in Florida in the US, and they included tiger sharks as well. The only problem I could see with this is that hammers seem to be notoriously hard to release after a long fight (not that I have any experience with them), which might make C & R reasonably hard.