Sharks have been caught along Queensland’s east coast for some time, but in recent years, catch has grown significantly.

There has been recent concern about the sustainability of this fishery, because sharks are long-lived and slow breeding animals, which makes them more vulnerable to fishing. Many shark fisheries overseas have collapsed.

Sharks are top-level predators in the food chain. Some species live offshore on reefs, but many others inhabit inshore waters, estuaries and even tidal stretches of rivers.

About 125 species of sharks and rays are recorded in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA), with more than 20 species of shark caught in the inshore finfish fishery in the GBRWHA.

The most commonly encountered species include the black tip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus and Carcharhinus tilstoni), scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini, milky sharks Rhizoprionodon acutus, sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon taylori, and bull shark Carcharhinus leucas.

Information from the commercial operators also indicates that a number of other species such as the spot tail shark Carcharhinus sorrah, white cheek shark Carcharhinus dussumieri, creek whaler Carcharhinus fitzroyensis, silky shark Carcharhinus falciformes, spinner shark Carcharhinus brevipinna, pigeye shark Carcharhinus ambiosensis and great hammerhead shark Sphyrna mokarran are also an important component of landings.

Other species identified in surveys include the lemon shark Negaprion acutidens, graceful shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchoides and hardnose shark Carcharhinus macloti. The grey reef shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos is not uncommon in landings although other sharks such as the black tip reef shark Carcharhinus melanopterus and white tip reef shark Triaenodon obesus that are usually associated with coral reefs appear to be a small component of landings in comparison to inshore species. The more predatory tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier also occurs in commercial catches but only as a minor component.

For more information about sharks on the Great Barrier Reef, see the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority ReefEd website.

Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

There is no information about which species of sharks are caught and the effort that is used. This information is vital for formal stock or risk assessments.

Shark catch on Queensland’s east coast rose by more than 300 per cent between 1988 and 2003. Around 80 per cent of shark caught on Queensland’s east coast comes from within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) – catch within this Area has grown much more than that south of the GBRWHA. There is current concern over the sustainability of shark catch.

Commercially, shark is generally caught in gill-nets. Recreational game fishers use hook and line, although the extent of recreational shark fishing is unknown. In addition to shark fishing, the Queensland Shark Control Program uses baited lines and nets to catch sharks off bathing beaches.

There has been no formal assessment of the commercial or recreational shark fisheries.

Tonnes: 1225.4
Boats: 220
Days: 7,830
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

$7,351,500
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

There is little data available about recreational catch. However, although few recreational anglers targJuly 18, 2005t of the number of fish taken by recreational fishers), the large number of recreational fishers may result in significant numbers of sharks being taken. See the Australian Shark Assessment Report 2001.

Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004 with permission Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

Sharks are caught along the entire east coast of Queensland, with highest catch between Townsville and Bundaberg.

Commercial fishers use set gill nets. Recreational fishers use hook and line.

The fishery is regulated under Queensland’s Fisheries Regulations 1995. There are no size or take and possession limits current for sharks.

Great white (Carcharodon carcharias) and grey nurse (Carcharias taurus) sharks are protected in Queensland. There are four grey nurse shark protected areas in south-east Queensland waters.

'Shark finning' is when fishers cut off the valuable fins, and then throw the rest of the shark carcass back into the water. This is illegal in Australia. To prevent shark finning, fishers in both Commonwealth and Queensland waters must not discard shark bodies from which fins have been taken while at sea.

Commercial fishers must have a licence with a fishery symbol from Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) allowing them to fish for sharks. These licences also regulate fishing gear and practices. Trawler fishers are not permitted to retain sharks.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has produced the Australian National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks. This has been ratified by both Commonwealth and Queensland Governments, and has the support of the fishing industry.

The Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) has produced a White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) Recovery Plan and a Recovery Plan for the Grey Nurse Shark.

CRC Reef and Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) researchers are surveying shark catch as part of ongoing coastal fisheries resource monitoring in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

The effects of net fishing project co-ordinated by DPI&F and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) between 1997 and 2000 addressed biodiversity and bycatch issues in Queensland inshore waters.

Australian National Action Plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks

Indigenous connections with sharks and rays on the Reef Ed website.

Information about Sharks in Australian waters from the Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage.

Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries information paper: Protecting the grey nurse shark.

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation International Action Plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks

Williams LE. (ed). 2002. Queensland's Fisheries Resources. Current condition and trends 1988-2000. Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane.