Shark Count Under Way

February 25, 2008

Release from: Cairns.com.au

The Far North's scariest ocean predators are down for the count.

Divers on an eight-day trip through coral reefs 280km off Cooktown recorded an astonishing 443 shark sightings, as part of an 18-month count for the Australian Underwater Federation's shark database.

Queensland had the highest number of sightings (1092) and also scored the most common sightings, with 414 grey reef sharks reported in the state's waters.

In the Far North, many sharks were seen at Ribbon, Osprey and Holmes reefs as well as Lizard Island, federation executive officer Michael Rupnik said.

"There's plenty of white-tipped sharks, quite a number of whalers, grey reef sharks are quite common, tiger sharks," Mr Rupnik said.

"And if you're very lucky at Osprey Reef, you might see an oceanic white tip."

Divers around the country recorded more than 2100 shark sightings for the database. The spectacular shark-count was down to opportunity and enthusiasm, federation chairman Dr Adam Smith said.

"We have lots of sharks in Australia and people love getting in the water and diving and fishing," he said.

The federation has called for scuba and skin divers across the country to hit the water on March 28-30 for a dedicated shark-spotting weekend.