(PRESENTATION OF CSIRO & SARDI RESEARCH FINDINGS & POLICY UPDATE)
During 2009-2011, DENR & PIRSA have undertaken a joint review of the Great White Shark Cage Diving (GWSCD) activity at the Neptune Islands Conservation Park, near Port Lincoln. In February, information sessions were held to present the draft review findings to stakeholders and comments were sought from stakeholders and interested parties on the document. Finalisation of the review findings and subsequent GWSCD policy has been delayed pending the outcomes of a CSIRO research study looking at the effects of berley on shark behaviour at the Neptune Islands.
In September, Barry Bruce from the CSIRO in Hobart and Charlie Huveneers from SARDI - Aquatic Sciences in Adelaide will present their research findings to industry and other stakeholders. This will be followed by discussion on the research findings and how they might influence an SA Government policy position on GWSCD.
Barry Bruce will present the results of the recently completed project "The effects of berley on the distribution and behaviour of white sharks at the Neptune Islands, South Australia". The project examined the residency, distribution and behaviour of acoustic-tagged sharks at both North and South Neptune Islands from 2009 - 2011. These data were compared to similar data collected by CSIRO in 2001-2003 to assess evidence for changed behaviour in sharks over the period between the two studies. The final report from the project will be circulated prior to the workshops.
Adelaide Meeting: Thursday 29 September 2011 - 12noon - 5.30pm (light lunch and afternoon tea provided). CSIRO Conference Room, Soil and Water Environs Centre, Waite Road, Urrbrae (Entry 4). A map can be found at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/campuses/mapscurrent/waite.pdf. Parking may be limited near the building. The Mulyungerie Carpark at the south of the campus generally has plenty of parking. There is non-time limited street parking a short distance along Claremont Avenue.
Port Lincoln Meeting: Friday 30 September 2011 - 10am - 3.30pm (morning tea and light lunch provided). Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board Office, 23 Napoleon Street, Port Lincoln.
The agenda will be circulated before the events. (Please note that the information presented at the two meetings will be identical). Please register your interest in attending a meeting to Leah.McIntyre@sa.gov.au or telephone: 08 8463 4809.
