Reef Shark Census All In The Genes

October 22, 2007

Release from: ABC News Online (Australia)

A team of researchers at James Cook University will use genetics to try and establish the extent of shark populations on the Great Barrier Reef.

The Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre is conducting a three-year study into the size and distribution of inshore shark species such as blacktip, scalloped hammerhead and milk sharks.

Dr Ashley Williams says very little is known about whether inshore sharks travel long distances, or if there are several different populations spread over a wide area.

"The different components of the project are firstly, we're looking at the genetics," he said.

"If we find that populations in one area are genetically different to populations in another, that indicates that there's little movement between those two and they are actually separate populations."