Protection Stepped Up For Whaler Sharks 1

Media Release
9 March 2009 09/2009

Protection stepped up for whaler sharks
New laws now prohibit recreational fishers from taking whaler sharks, with an interdorsal fin
length exceeding 70cm, in the State's West Coast and South Coast bioregions.
The West Coast Bioregion extends from the Zuytdorp Cliffs, north of Kalbarri, to Black Point,
east of Augusta. The South Coast Bioregion stretches from there to the WA border.
Department of Fisheries shark scientist Dr Rory McAuley said Western Australia's new
regulations would assist in the protection and, in some cases, the recovery of at-risk species
within the Family Carcharhinidae, which all whaler sharks belonged to.
"Dusky whalers and sandbar sharks have been identified as being over-exploited in the past and
are species that are particularly at risk," Dr McAuley said.
"Because of the inherent difficulties in identification of the various species in the whaler family
and their generally low reproduction rates, broader protection is a responsible approach.
"However, a limited quantity of large whaler sharks, greater than 70 cm, can still be taken in
certain fisheries by commercial fishers and by recreational fishers in northern waters."
Further details of the new arrangements, with illustrations of how to measure a whaler shark
correctly, are now available from the Department of Fisheries' website at www.fish.wa.gov.au.
Dr McAuley said that whaler sharks generally took a long time to reach reproductive maturity
and produced few offspring.
"As older sharks are critical to the sustainability of these populations, the application of an upper
size limit of 70cm interdorsal fin length for whaler sharks is important to conserve the breeding
stocks of the at-risk species," he said.
"The change is not expected to negatively impact the recreational catch of whaler sharks for
personal consumption, as larger sharks are unsuitable for human consumption due to the
potential for high levels of heavy metals to accumulate in the flesh.
"This amendment follows the introduction of a suite of measures to the commercial fishing
sector over the past few years, including gear and fishing effort restrictions, to assist in the
protection and recovery of breeding stocks of whaler sharks.
"It should also be noted that dusky sharks, with an interdorsal fin length greater than 70cm, are
currently commercially protected, even within the few fisheries that are allowed to catch sharks."
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ashley Malone Ph: 9203 0357
Principal Media Liaison Officer Mobile: 0418 901 767

Report all suspected illegal fishing activity to FISHWATCH 1800 815 507