[Greens-Media] Review = delay on saving grey nurse shark

[Peter Stahel]

Review = delay on saving grey nurse shark

Greens MP and environment spokesperson Cate Faehrmann says the critically endangered grey nurse shark is being put at further risk because of an unnecessary review being conducted by the NSW Government, with a discussion paper 'grey nurse shark protection', released today by the Primary Industries Minister ( http://bit.ly/m3lqKw ).

"Grey nurse shark is so critically endangered that every single death is significant for the survival of the species.  Accidental hooking from fishing activity causes a significant number of deaths. There is no doubt that more sharks will be hooked in the areas that have been reopened to fishing while this review takes place," said Ms Faehrmann.

"It beggars belief that the government would remove protections before conducting this review. The Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson is ignoring the scientific research before the department which supports fishing restrictions in grey nurse shark aggregation sites, and is pandering to a small and extreme section of the fishing lobby.

"Grey nurse shark experts have been telling the NSW Government for years that the way to save the species from extinction is to prevent fishing in the identified critical habitat areas such as Fish Rock and Green Island.

"The government's own discussion paper quotes enough evidence to support reinstating and increasing sanctuary zones around Fish Rock and Green Island.

"The science is in on the grey nurse shark. Further reviews won't change the fact that fishing must be banned in areas where the shark feeds and breeds," said Ms Faehrmann.

Media contact: Peter Stahel 0433 005 727