Shark Assessment Report

29 January 2001

Ms Sarah Scott
Fisheries and Aquaculture Branch
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Australia
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Fax: (02) 6272 4215

e-mail: sarah.scott@affa.gov.au

Dear Sarah,

Re. Surfrider Foundation Australia

Draft National Shark Assessment report comments

Congratulations on the production of the draft National Shark Assessment Report for the Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (NPOA).  The information in the report covers a broad range of issues and begins to highlight the needs and priorities to address the sustainable management of sharks.  In particular the report highlights just how little is known about the conservation status of most shark species in Australia and the impacts of commercial and recreational fishing and by-catch.

Being one of the most ancient and vulnerable species in our oceans, the conservation of sharks should become a national priority if Australia’s fisheries are to become balanced and sustainable.

Issues and information gaps of particular concern for Surfrider Foundation Australia include (but are not limited to):

·       The need to include actions to address the issues highlighted within the report;

·       The unidentified and unquantified data relating to the discarded shark species in target and non-target commercial fisheries, recreational fisheries and beach protection programs.  In particular, the mortality rate of discarded species;

·       The urgent need for more detailed ecological information on shark species (both target and non-target species) – especially population dynamics, reproductive rates and survivorship;

·       The need for consistent, regular and reliable reporting processes for all facets of shark fisheries;

·       The need for adequate indigenous representation at all levels of shark fisheries management;

·       The prompt development of a National Plan of Action (NPOA) for the Conservation and Management of Sharks in Australia to deal with the many serious issues raised in the Shark Assessment Report.

·      The Shark Assessment Reports to be produced and assessed at least every 2/3 years to monitor the progress of the NPOA.

·        Particular attention to address the high levels of shark by-catch in Australian tuna fisheries and the vulnerability of deepwater dogfish to trawling.

·      The increase pressures on shark populations as the market demand for shark products escalates (e.g. for medicinal and culinary uses) 

The following to also be added to the list of “issues” to be addressed in the NPOA:

1.    The indirect impacts of fishing activities on shark populations e.g. the depletion of prey species;

2.    Shark imports to Australia and the impact on overseas shark populations (see action list below);

3.    The lack of consistent, regular and reliable reporting processes for all facets of shark fisheries;

4.    The need to improve the regulation of recreational shark fishing e.g. reporting and licences;

5.    The need to develop new by-catch mitigation measures to ensure that the high level of by-catch does not continue.

 ACTIONS URGENTLY NEEDED: 

·       The Australian government to ban fin imports from unsustainable fisheries; 

·       The permanent ban on shark finning in all Commonwealth fisheries to improve on the interim ban in the Commonwealth tuna fisheries; 

·        SA, TAS, NT and QLD to follow the examples of NSW, VIC and WA and ban finning in their State waters;

·       The NPOA initiates pro-active conservation measures such as the development and implementation of Recovery Plans and Wildlife Conservation Plans;

·       The implementation and enforcement of more stringent reporting procedures for all shark fisheries in National and State waters;

·       The listings of species identified as threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999, State threatened species legislation and the CITES and CMS Conventions;

·       The involvement of indigenous Australians in National and State shark assessment and management processes;

·      The Federal Government to commit to supplying adequate funding to support the research and development necessary to implement the National Plan of Action. 

Thank-you for the opportunity to provide comment and we look forward to future management initiatives that conserves the shark populations of Australian waters and provides a worldwide example of the benefits of sustainable fisheries. 

Feel free to contact me on 0401 487 426 or Surfrider Foundation Australia on (07) 5534 2855 to discuss the above at anytime.  

Kind regards,

Sallyann Gudge
Surfrider Foundation Australia

cc.

The Hon. Warren Truss - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The Hon. Henry Palaszczuk - Minister for Qld State Fisheries
Mr Peter Millington  - Chair of the Shark Advisory Group.

Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection and enhancement of Australia's oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through CARE; Conservation, Activism, Research and Education. 

Surfrider Foundation Ltd (Australia) ABN 86 061 168 527
Mail: PO Box 266 BURLEIGH HEADS QLD 4220 AUSTRALIA
Street Address: 17 Murraba St Currumbin 4223
Phone: +61 7 5534 2855
Fax: +61 7 5534 2866

E-mail: info@surfrider.org.au