SHARK TOUR OPERATOR DAYS REDUCED

The licences of Port Lincoln shark-diving businesses will be renewed, but the number of days they run tours has been restricted. In March, the State Government said it planned to cut the number of shark diving tourism operators because the practice was changing the animals' behaviour. However, yesterday the Environment Department said it would renew the licences of Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions, Calypso Star Charters and Adventure Bay Charters for another five years. Under the new licences, they will be restricted to operating no more than five days a week. This will cut the total number of days they can run tours by 105 days. There were previously no restrictions on how often they could run tours. Environment department chief executive Allan Holmes said the decision followed a review of cage diving activity and its impact on shark behaviour. "It was decided it would be possible to award three licences for shark related tourism activities, while still minimising the impact on sharks from these tours," he said.” (Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/shark-tour-operator-days-reduced/story-e6frea83-1226358202932 )

NSW ACTS TO PROTECT HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

The Humane Society International (HSI) has welcomed the listing of two hammerhead shark species in NSW under the Fisheries Management Act 1994, following an HSI nomination. The great hammerhead shark has been listed as vulnerable and the scalloped hammerhead shark as endangered under the Act.