AUSTRALIAN WATERSLIDES AND LEISURE
A leading designer and manufacturer of innovative waterslides and attractions, Australian Waterslides and Leisure (AWL) is also able to advise clients in the areas of concept and design, feasibility…
read moreA global study published today in Nature reports that overfishing has driven the global abundance of oceanic sharks and rays to decline by nearly three-quarters (71%) in the past 50 years. With endangered sharks, including the scalloped hammerhead, still being legally consumed in Australia, the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Humane Society International (HSI) say the global study highlights the critical need for improved protections for endangered fish and better fishing practices.
Since the 1970s, the global catch in oceanic sharks and rays has increased three-fold, with a dramatic rise in the 1990s to meet growing international demands for meat, fins, and gill plates.
Although many of Australia’s populations of sharks and rays fare better than in many other parts of the world, the bar is set perilously low with the latest study highlighting serious problems that exist in Australia’s backyard.
AMCS shark scientist, Dr Leonardo Guida notes “Australia is positioned well to protect and support the recovery of our endangered sharks and rays - but only if we act now. We need to fix our national environment law that allows endangered sharks, like the scalloped hammerhead, to be plucked from the water and land on our plates as ‘flake’.
“Sharks keep marine food-webs in-check and without them, food-webs can become unstable and possibly collapse. Despite knowing this, industrial sized gillnets over a kilometre long are still used in the Great Barrier Reef to catch endangered scalloped hammerheads for their meat and fins. Getting these gillnets out of the Reef is just one thing we can do today to protect endangered sharks and boost the Reef’s health.”
Of the 31 oceanic shark and ray species examined in the study, the risk of extinction has increased substantially since 1980 with half now either Critically Endangered (3 species) or Endangered (13 species)¹ on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Included under “Endangered” are the pelagic thresher (Alopias pelagicus) & short-fin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus), both of which are declining in Australian waters.
Lawrence Chlebeck, marine biologist with HSI adds “even within international conservation agreements, Australia has room for improvement. One of the species examined in the study, the smooth hammerhead, was listed last year on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) and Australia was the only country to take a reservation, meaning this species would not be protected from commercial exploitation under Australian law. Our organisations have asked Australia to withdraw the reservation.
“Improvement can and must come from multiple directions if we are to stop the precipitous decline in shark species. Our own national environmental law, the EPBC Act, must be improved to end the catching, selling and consumption of endangered sharks and rays and give them the protection they need. We must support global shark and ray conservation initiatives in ways fitting of Australia’s desired position as a global conservation leader.”
The organisations have launched a campaign to drive better protection for sharks and rays, encouraging Australians to become Shark Champions and create healthier oceans.
Sign up to Shark Champions at www.sharkchampions.org.au
REFERENCE
Simpfendorfer CA, Chin A, Rigby CL, Sherman S, White WT (2019) ‘Shark futures: a report card for Australia’s sharks and rays.’ (Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture: James Cook University)
Image: endangered scalloped hammerhead
9th December 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society highlights new Federal laws banning plastic waste won’t save wildlife
9th October 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society claims Reef Inquiry confirms what was already known
1st October 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society welcomes Queensland’s new reforms for shark finning
8th September 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society welcomes Federal Government intervention into protecting Great Barrier Reef wildlife
14th August 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society claims ACT Government is delaying comprehensive single use plastic legislation
25th May 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society would welcome additional support for reef tourism sector
11th March 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society highlights endangered shark facing extinction
28th February 2020 - Australian Marine Conservation Society calls for a Reef-safe climate policy
14th December 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society condemns NSW Government for slashing endangered shark protection
7th November 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society welcomes Queensland government proposal to ban single-use plastics
18th September 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society condemns inquiry into Reef Science
1st July 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society calls for protection of whales against renewed Japanese hunting
23rd May 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society responds to Queensland’s Adani Announcement
11th May 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society compares parties’ election policies on reefs and oceans
23rd April 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society welcomes Labor promise to reclaim Great Barrier Reef funding
12th March 2019 - Australian Marine Conservation Society says research highlights the need for Queensland Government to cut farm pollution
17th February 2019 - The Australian Marine Conservation Society calls for reallocation of $443 million funding
12th December 2018 - Australian Marine Conservation Society demands Adani court admission of Great Barrier Reef pollution
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
A leading designer and manufacturer of innovative waterslides and attractions, Australian Waterslides and Leisure (AWL) is also able to advise clients in the areas of concept and design, feasibility…
read moreAs of 2018, TicketServ operates as SeatGeek Asia Pacific Pty Limited, part of international ticketing platform SeatGeek. Click here to contact SeatGeek Asia Pacific via their entry in…
read moreGeoff Ninnes Fong & Partners (GNFP) is a structural, aquatic and civil engineering consultancy with broad experience in the design of new municipal and institutional swimming pools, hydrotherapy…
read moreABOUT SPORTENG specialises in the Planning, Design and Construction inspection of Fields of Play for all sports. Blending engineering with the specialist knowledge gained from working closely with…
read more@leisure is a team of experienced leisure, aquatic and sports facility managers and planners, with market modelling, sports management, recreation planning, business and GIS qualifications. We have…
read moreDigonex is a leading provider of customised dynamic pricing solutions to clients in arts and entertainment, sport, attractions, cultural institutions and retail sectors. Digonex’s technology is…
read morePico Play is a global leader in the planning, design, development and construction of world-class themed attractions and entertainment that deliver extraordinary and memorable experiences to millions…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!