Grey Nurse

Sharks have it the media in a different sort of way. In todays Daily Telegraph:

Great shark swindle Exclusive by Samantha Williams

March 05, 2007 12:00

FOR years we've been told their numbers are dangerously low and grey nurse sharks are on the brink of extinction.

But a source from NSW Fisheries, the agency responsible for managing our fisheries resources, has claimed the State Government has been fudging figures in a bid to close off fishing spots.

"They (the Government) claim the numbers are failing when it flies in the face of anecdotal evidence which shows there are much more . . . in the thousands," the insider told The Daily Telegraph.

The Government and green groups have been claiming there are fewer than 500 grey nurse sharks on Australia's east coast – but recreational fishers say the breed is thriving in dozens of reefs not checked by scientists.

They say there could be up to 6000 in NSW.

It is also believed the Independent Commission Against Corruption has been called to investigate complaints about use of the shark's numbers to close off reefs.

The Government has refused to accept that there are more than 500 grey nurses in NSW.

The last time it conducted a count was in June 2003 when divers helped tag 24 sharks.

A second survey was done last August but the Government said the information was not used because it was not widespread enough.

The NSW Fisheries source said the sharks were being used as leverage to turn more water into sanctuary zones banning recreational fishermen from their favourite spots.

"Marine parks work well but don't use the grey nurse shark as an excuse for them," he said. "The shark's numbers are reaching a situation where they are showing up on reefs where we've never seen them before."

There are 14 designated grey nurse shark sites closed off for fishing activity – but the source claims there are dozens more where the sharks have been sited.

Underwater Spearfishermen's Association secretary Mel Brown has kept records of shark numbers for 10 years.

He believes numbers have increased to 6000.

"They are not as threatened as the scientists reckon – we see grey nurse everywhere," he said.

Department of Primary Industries chief scientist Steve Kennelly said he was aware of the grey nurse claims.

"I have not seen the evidence," he said.

"Until I see the sites I can't say if these claims are true or false."

Contributed by PhillipB added 2007-03-05