SHARK FISHING FROM JETTIES

Shark fishing from SA jetties was in the news again during January. An article which appeared in The Advertiser on 12th January can be viewed at http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,26578382-2682,00.html . The day’s editorial comment also discussed this topic. The article drew many comments from the public. These can be viewed at http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/comments/0,22638,26578382-2682,00.html . The comments covered topics such as berleying, crabbing, swimming, jetties, boating, etc.. The editorial suggested that shark fishing from jetties should be stopped. A letter from Trevor Watts, Executive Officer for SARFAC, in response to the article, appeared in the paper on 13th January.

DNA used to identify endangered shark species

Millions of shark fins are sold each year to make shark fin soup. Proving which sharks they came from has been difficult for those monitoring illegal trade of endangered species. Researchers at Nova Southeastern University in Florida, however, have recently been able to use DNA taken from fins from a Hong Kong market to trace not just the species, but the geographical location of endangered scalloped hammerheads. This is one of 8 shark species being considered for trade protection under CITES (Convention for International Trade of Endangered Species) this March. The study “Tracking the fin trade: genetic stock identification in western Atlantic scalloped hammerhead sharks, Sphyrna lewini” by Demian D. Chapman, Danillo Pinhal, Mahmood S. Shivji can be viewed at http://www.int-res.com/articles/esr2008/theme/Forensic/forensicpp9.pdf .

The Great white post card and poster at Tumbulgum NSW

Tony Isaacson from Queensland tells me that this Great white shark poster (& a postcard) is attracting business in NSW at Tumbulgum (well up the Tweed River) despite it being caught many years ago in South Australia. Some locals think that it came from the river and a lot of urban legend has been created. This poster (with accompanying signage) & the postcard can be viewed at http://picasaweb.google.com.au/stevereynolds600/SharkPosterPostcardAtTumbulgumNSW

WA government to track white pointers in ‘real time’

The WA government is using satellite receivers along the WA coast to track white pointers in ‘real time’. About 100 sharks will be tagged in a 2-year study to measure the movements & migration patterns of the sharks along the metropolitan coast. More than 70 sharks have already been tagged, most of them from SA. If one of the tagged sharks swims off of Perth’s beaches, authorities will be alerted either by email or SMS to their mobiles.