Article Summary:

Grey nurse sharks (Carcharias taurus) have been protected in Australia since 1984 and were declared “critically endangered” in September 2008 by the NSW Fisheries Scientific Committee based on scientific evidence of their decline. A study in 2010 reported that recreational fishing methods (i.e. baited lines and jigging) were of “high risk” to grey nurse sharks in the area of Fish Rock, South West Rock; a NSW habitat where year-round aggregations of the sharks occurs.

In order to fulfil a pre-election policy promise, the newly elected state government has removed the existing fishing restriction in the area, and has now called for public consultation on the issue. Please use the online form to express your concern. As the form is somewhat aimed at Australian residents, local conservationists have suggested using the post code of 2431 on the form (this is the closest town to Fish Rocks). The closing date for submissions is 26 August.