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We, the undersigned, call on the Australian Government to implement strong on-water fisheries management and the necessary legal protections for Australia’s threatened shark and ray species.
Australia is a global shark and ray hotspot, with a quarter of the world’s species calling our waters home. However, 1 in 8 of these species are threatened with extinction in our waters [1].
Alarmingly, Australian fisheries can still legally catch and sell some of our most endangered sharks and rays as ‘flake’ to the Australian community [2]. These species include those that are endemic – that is, they are found nowhere else on the planet. They are as uniquely Australian as koalas and just as deserving of our protection.
One of the biggest drivers of extinction for Australian sharks and rays is our largest fishery by area and volume, the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) [1].
Trawl fishing in the SESSF is a major driver of decline for whitefin swellshark, greeneye spurdog, grey skate, Australian longnose skate and eastern angelshark [1,3,4]. These species can be caught, killed, and often sold to consumers with no protections under Australia’s nature laws (the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; EPBC Act).
The declines in some species populations have been staggering – up to 90% in just the last 50 years [1]. For a group of animals that can take more than 10 years to mature and breed only once every two to three years, protections must be put in place now to give them a decent chance of recovery while there is still time.
Australia’s leading shark scientists have recommended that all five endemic species be prioritised under the EPBC Act and that a raft of fishing rules be implemented to protect them [1,3,4]. A proper EPBC listing would require a formal recovery plan and binding on-water management measures, giving these species a genuine chance at survival.
To protect all of Australia’s threatened sharks and ray species, we urge the Australian Government to:
- Implement robust independent monitoring, including electronic monitoring (i.e. cameras) on all vessels and scientific human observers to collect biological data. All fisheries must have mandatory bycatch reporting to species level where these species occur. This way we know what is being caught, where and how often.
- Implement trigger limits so that when too many of a species are accidentally caught, fishing in that area stops.
- Protect critical habitats with sanctuary zones in areas where these species are most vulnerable.
- List all five endemic species under the EPBC Act, along with the threatened category they are assessed under.
- Implement a funded recovery strategy for each listed species, with binding on-water management measures to reduce fishery mortality.
Nearly half of our sharks and rays exist only in Australian waters. Only we can save them. If we lose them here, we lose them forever. We must protect them now.
References
- Kyne, P.M. et al. (2021). The Action Plan for Australian Sharks and Rays 2021. Hobart: NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub.
- Kielniacz, T.J.P., Stow, A.J., Armansin, N.C. (2024). High Levels of Mislabelling of Shark Flesh in Australian Fish Markets and Seafood Shops. Marine and Freshwater Research 75(7). https://doi.org/10.1071/MF23198
- Daly, R., Gray, C. (2020). On-the-water Management Solutions to Halt the Decline and Support the Recovery of Australia’s Endemic Elasmobranchs. WildFish Research Consultancy and Horizon Consultancy.
- Daly, R.K. & Hyde, C.A. (2023). Fishery and Spatial Management Solutions to Inform the Protection and Recovery of Australia’s Threatened Endemic Elasmobranchs. Report for Australian Marine Conservation Society & Humane Society International Australia.
What Happens When I Sign the Petition?
This petition will be presented to key decision makers to demonstrate public support for increasing the protection of our sharks and rays.
Who Can Sign the Petition?
Anyone who cares about Australia’s unique ocean wildlife. We encourage all ocean lovers, seafood eaters, and anyone who wants to see Australian species protected under Australian law to add their name.