Kevin
2003-12-20 14:51:59 UTC
Grey nurse sharks 'endangered'
The Queensland government on Saturday made grey nurse sharks
officially endangered, announcing increased protective measures and fishing
restrictions.
Premier Peter Beattie said there were only 300 to 500 grey nurse
sharks left on Australia's east coast.
The new regulations would restrict fishing at four of the
sharks' favourite breeding sites in Queensland and diving restrictions were
also put in place at three of the four sites.
"We are banning all forms of fishing at Wolf Rock because of its
importance to the sharks, and almost all forms of fishing at Flat Rock,
Henderson Rock and Cherub's Cave because of the potential for harm to grey
nurse sharks," Premier Peter Beattie said in a statement.
The diving restrictions would apply to Cherub's Cave, Henderson
Rock and Flat Rock.
In the past, grey nurse sharks were mistaken for man-eaters and
were hunted to the brink of extinction," Mr Beattie said.
"In fact, they are the labradors of the shark world. Even a
politician can swim with grey nurses and emerge unscathed."
Breaches of environmental regulations attract fines of up to
$225,000, while breaches of fisheries regulations attract fines of up to
$75,000.
The Queensland government on Saturday made grey nurse sharks
officially endangered, announcing increased protective measures and fishing
restrictions.
Premier Peter Beattie said there were only 300 to 500 grey nurse
sharks left on Australia's east coast.
The new regulations would restrict fishing at four of the
sharks' favourite breeding sites in Queensland and diving restrictions were
also put in place at three of the four sites.
"We are banning all forms of fishing at Wolf Rock because of its
importance to the sharks, and almost all forms of fishing at Flat Rock,
Henderson Rock and Cherub's Cave because of the potential for harm to grey
nurse sharks," Premier Peter Beattie said in a statement.
The diving restrictions would apply to Cherub's Cave, Henderson
Rock and Flat Rock.
In the past, grey nurse sharks were mistaken for man-eaters and
were hunted to the brink of extinction," Mr Beattie said.
"In fact, they are the labradors of the shark world. Even a
politician can swim with grey nurses and emerge unscathed."
Breaches of environmental regulations attract fines of up to
$225,000, while breaches of fisheries regulations attract fines of up to
$75,000.