Prior to the implementation of protectivPrior to the implementation of protective legislation, game fishing for White Sharks was carried out mainly in South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, but also in Victoria and Western Australia. Game fishing in South Australia for White Sharks was at its height in the 1950s. More recent fishing effort was much lower with an average of 1.4 White Sharks killed per year between 1980 and 1990 (Bruce 1992). White Sharks were also tagged and released during this period, although the survival rate of these sharks is not known.

Prior to the implementation of protective legislation, game fishing for White Sharks was carried out mainly in South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, but also in Victoria and Western Australia. Game fishing in South Australia for White Sharks was at its height in the 1950s. More recent fishing effort was much lower with an average of 1.4 White Sharks killed per year between 1980 and 1990 (Bruce 1992). White Sharks were also tagged and released during this period, although the survival rate of these sharks is not known.

Pepperell (1992) using game fishing data for New South Wales calculated that the ratio of White Sharks to all shark species caught had changed from 1:22 in the 1960s to 1:38 in the 1970s and 1:651 in the 1980s. The Game Fishing Association of Australia (GFAA) recorded a total of 183 White Sharks caught in New South Wales between 1960 and 1995 (approximately 5.2 per year) (NSW Fisheries 1997). More recently, the average number of White Sharks caught each year was estimated at 1.8 sharks, most of which were captured off Long Reef, Newport, and south of Port Hacking (NSW Fisheries 1997). Pepperell (1992) notes that the declining trend in New South Wales game fish captures of White Sharks may be explained by a tendency for anglers to fish further offshore in recent years, thus concentrating effort away from areas where they were more likely to encounter White Sharks.

Game fishing groups have expressed a keen interest in accessing White Sharks for tag-release since the species was protected. Other groups have raised concerns that capture induced mortality or sublethal stress may be unacceptably high for this practice to resume. The impacts of hooking, playing, capture and then release of White Sharks in game fishing activities has not been critically assessed. Given that the White Shark is protected the timing of such work would only be promoted as a priority when the species has recovered sufficiently to be considered for down listing from the threatened species schedules. Re-instating tag release is only possible under current legislation if the regulatory authorities grant an exemption permit. For such permits to be granted there would need to be scientific benefits in doing so. (For a further explanation on tagging refer to section on Tag and Release)

Satellite tracking and archival tags offer the best opportunities for obtaining data on movement patterns however costs can be high. Attaching the satellite tag to the dorsal fin of a White Shark while it is restrained is the best method of deploying the unit. Archival tags can be effectively deployed by tagging free swimming White Sharks and are programmed to record information such as light, depth, water temperature and location every few minutes for up to several years.

Management Response

There is a need to identify habitat that is used to meet essential life cycle requirements such as mating, pupping and feeding and protect these sites from the impacts of both commercial and recreational fishing activities. (Refer to Section 1.3 Habitat Critical to the survival of the Species for further information).