World's top shark scientists meet in Sydney to rewrite the rule books
18 Sep 2008
Over 60 of the world's leading shark and ray experts will gather in Sydney at the end of this month to rewrite the rules regarding shark conservation and management, driven by the discovery of 100 new shark and ray species within Australian waters.
Most were discovered on the east coast of Australia and one species in particular - Parascyllium elongatum - was so rare that the only known example was found in the belly of another shark.
"It's like finding out that there are a hundred new whale and dolphin species out there. It is a major scientific breakthrough," said WWF-Australia fisheries manager Peter Trott. "We now need to know what changes in management are needed to conserve these animals, and that is what the experts will try to answer."
This year's Oceania Chondrichthyan Society (OCS) meeting is taking place in Sydney from September 22 to 24 and will focus on the status, trends and management of sharks globally with special attention on the new species found within the Oceania region.
Hosted by WWF-Australia, the opening workshop will help set the agenda for the future research and focus on the impact on fisheries and conservation management structures following the discovery of the new species.
Recent research by Australian and international researchers revealed that confusion between separate species of sharks and rays meant that new, rare or endangered species may have been mistaken for a similar looking, but more common species and inadvertently taken by fishermen.
"We are literally fishing in the dark when it comes to sharks and rays. In many cases we simply do not know what species we are plucking from Australian waters," said Mr Trott.
"We need to re-write the management plans and re-assess our fauna listings otherwise there will be serious consequences for fisheries management and governments. Significant investments will be needed to ensure none of the vulnerable or new species are taken unintentionally."
Mr Trott said he expected the scientists to urgently call for more funding to research sharks and for stronger fisheries management to identify those sharks that were caught by commercial fishers.
"This is the 21st century and still we lack even the most basic information for almost all species of shark. We urgently need them to become the top priority for science-based research and the top priority for management in order to safeguard their populations," Mr Trott said.
"Sharks play a crucial role in the balance and health of marine ecosystems. They are slow-growing, long-lived, and produce few young, which leaves them extremely vulnerable to overfishing.
"We cannot afford to lose sharks from our oceans. If we cannot afford to manage them properly, then it might be best to leave them alone."
It will include an international workshop looking at the 18-month research project conducted by a CSIRO national flagship project, Wealth from Oceans, which formally named and described the 100 new species of sharks, rays and chimaeras in our waters. For some shark groups, such as spurdogs, swell sharks and wobbegongs, more than half the world's known species were described in the study.
For more information
Rachael Hoy, National Media Manager, WWF-Australia
02 8202 1242, 0407 204 594
Notes to editors
The three special publications referred to in the above release are:
Last, P. R., White, W. T., and Pogonoski, J. J. (2007). Descriptions of new dogfishes of the genus Squalus (Squaloidea: Squalidae). CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research paper 014, Hobart, Tas. 130 p.
PDF: http://www.cmar.csiro.au/e-print/open/cmar_rp014.pdf
Last, P. R., White, W. T., Pogonoski, J. J. & Gledhill, D.C. (2008). Descriptions of new Australian skates (Batoidea: Rajoidei) CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research paper 014, Hobart, Tas. 185 p.
PDF: http://www.cmar.csiro.au/e-print/open/cmar_rp021.pdf
Last, P. R., White, W. T., and Pogonoski, J. J. (2008). Descriptions of new Australian chondrichthyans CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research paper 014, Hobart, Tas. 130 p.
PDF: http://www.cmar.csiro.au/e-print/open/cmar_rp022.pdf
