Science, not shark ‘bite-offs’ should guide fishery decisions

2016-02-25

Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren MLC says suggestions that the number of shark ‘bite-offs’ should be used as an evidential basis for an expansion of WA’s commercial shark fishery are simplistic and alarming. 
“Shark stock assessment is complicated; there are dozens of shark species in WA waters and many of these sharks are frequently misidentified by non-experts,” Ms MacLaren said. 
“Furthermore, the number of sharks biting off fish from anglers’ lines in certain fishing spots is not itself evidence of a rise in shark numbers – it could reflect changes in shark behaviour, food availability and ocean conditions, as well as more charter operators and anglers regularly frequenting those locations and ‘burley-ing up’. 
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