Shark Numbers Protected In WA

July 1, 2005

Release from: ABC News Online (Australia)

From today, sharks will be protected from overfishing along most of the WA coastline.

In an agreement between government and industry, shark fishing will be closed for up to 20 years.

Fishing will be allowed to continue in Kimberley waters north of Broome, on limited days.

Doug Rogers from the Northern Shark Industry Association says it will be survival of the fittest.

"Really what's going to determine how many vessels are left are really the number of operating days you need to be economically viable," he said.

"I wouldn't expect, as a fisherman, to see any more than three boats operating from Broome through to the Northern Territory border.

"As always in fishing, it's like buying up the neighbours' farm in order to be viable."