Ban shark fishing in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Fishing kills 70,000 sharks a year, many inside the Great Barrier Reef, and these important, apex predators are fast disappearing from our oceans.
Large numbers of Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea shark species are in serious decline – and populations could be wiped out unless they receive adequate protection.
More than 500 tonnes of Australian shark product was sent to Asian markets over the past 13 months.
In Brisbane, 85 tonnes of shark product, mostly shark fin and fillets are sent to Hong Kong and the Philippines, while shark cartilage is exported to the US
These figures do not include the number of sharks imported and consumed in Australia, or discarded by fisherman.
Sharks caught in northern Australian end up as sharkfin soup, haemorrhoid cream, lacquer and glue, tourist curios, tanning lotion, horse supplements, preservative for boats, anti-aging cream, luxury sharkskin boots, shark heart sashimi, pet food and even as an alternative cure for cancer.
With an insatiable global market for shark products growing every month, our waters may be last resort for many species.
WWF is demanding the entire Coral Sea be declared a Marine Protected Area to help preserve these important predators.
In addition, as so little is known about the sustainability of shark populations, the Queensland Government must not introduce targeted shark fisheries in its waters.
Sharks play a crucial role in the balance and health of marine ecosystems. They grow slowly, live for a long time and, crucially, produce few young.
To raid their nurseries and kill off their breeding-age females could have devastating long-term impacts on our precious marine life.
Further Information
Press Clippings
- ABC, August 20 - Fin exports harming shark numbers: WWF
- The Australia, August 20 - Exports 'endangering' shark species
- The Age, August 20 - Reef 'set to suffer' this summer
Media Releases
- 01 December 2008 - Lack of data a threat to sharks says Government report
- 20 August 2008 - Safe haven or supermarket: shark populations decline while we wait
- 13 August 2008 - Raiding nurseries could spell disaster for hammerhead population
- 22 May 2008 - Coral Sea sharks could be "wiped out"
Links
Solutions for our state
1) End land clearing, cut climate pollution and save wildlife
The State must:
- Enforce and extend laws to protect vulnerable lands and all threatened habitats
- Pay landowners to protect other forests
Read more...
2) New protected areas to save our wildlife
- Invest $15m in new national parks next year
- Boost protected area funds by 10% a year
Read more...
3) Cut pollution to the Great Barrier Reef
- reward good farm practice
- ban high risk pesticide, fertiliser and cattle stocking practices
Read more...
4) Ban shark fishing in the Great Barrier Reef
Around 70,000 sharks a year are killed in the Great Barrier Reef. We must stop slaughtering these top predators in this World Heritage area.
Read more...