WAFIC - FAQ

FAQ

Are WA’s shark fisheries permitted to take other species besides shark?

Western Australia’s four “shark” fisheries mainly target and take shark but they are actually gear based fisheries, rather than species based fisheries. As gear based fisheries they are also permitted to take a range of scalefish such as pink snapper and WA Dhufish. In 2001/02 scalefish accounted for less than 25% of the overall catch in the south and west coast fisheries. In 2001/02 scalefish accounted for less than 1% of the overall catch in the northern fisheries.

Are WA’s shark fisheries sustainable?

Shark fisheries require careful management as unlike most scalefish species, some sharks have a relatively low reproductive rate and can take a number of years to reach sexual maturity.

While Department of Fisheries scientists believe the catch rates of most shark species in the fisheries are sustainable, research indicates the breeding stock of dusky sharks and whiskery sharks is currently overexploited. To address these issues the management of these fisheries and other fisheries impacting on these species is being reviewed and new management arrangements are likely to be introduced this year.

Extensive research has been done on WA’s shark fisheries making them amongst the best-researched and managed shark fisheries in the world. These fisheries are also in the process of being assessed under Ecological Sustainable Development (ESD) standards.

On Channel Nine’s ACA program it was recently reported by a conservationist/filmmaker that NSW commercial fishermen were mainly responsible for declining wobbegong populations. Are WA’s commercial wobbegong catches sustainable?

Three species of wobbegong are caught commercially in the south and west coast “shark” fisheries and in 2001/02 wobbegongs accounted for approximately 8% of the total catch.
Because wobbegong catches in the target shark fisheries have historically been small, the status of their stocks has not been formally assessed. However, recent increases in ‘wetline’ catches and unreported bycatch in other commercial and recreational sectors may lead to localised depletions and require further investigation.

What are the regulations regarding the take of shark fins?

In October 2000 a prohibition on landing shark fins only was introduced to restrict the practice of shark-finning at sea. Fishermen are now required to bring all shark trunks ashore with fins, a deterrent to those targeting sharks solely for the value of their fins.

What species of shark are protected in WA waters?

Grey nurse shark, great white shark, speartooth and whale sharks are all protected in WA waters.

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