Call For Marine Sanctuaries To Protect Grey Nurse Shark

December 17, 2007

Release from: ABC (Australia)

The Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales is pushing the new Federal Government for marine sanctuaries to protect the grey nurse shark.

The council says it is disappointed the new federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, has delayed a decision to establish new areas along the coast to protect the sharks.

Montague Island, off Narooma and the Tollgate Island off Batemans Bay, have been put forward as two possible sanctuaries.

A conservation officer with the council, Giselle Firme, says there are now fewer than 500 grey nurse sharks along the state's coast.

She says that number will continue to drop if action is not taken immediately.

"What we're asking for and actually has been recommended by scientists both within the Government and independent scientists at CSIRO, is to implement marine sanctuaries which would mean that both commercial and recreational fishers would not be allowed to fish within the areas where the grey nurse shark is found," she said.