Dolphin watch tour operators at Port Stephens say they're worried after packs of sharks moved in to feed on thousands of kingfish which escaped from a Hawks Nest fish pen last month.
Local fishermen say they've never seen anything like it as the sharks use their boats for cover before smashing through giant schools of kingfish.
However, the presence of the sharks has frightened off the dolphin population, with cruise operators unable to locate any of the aquatic mammals in their usual spots.
Similar shark activity occurred when Huon Aquaculture had a fish farm damaged during rough seas in January this year.
Due to the damage, around 20,000 kingfish escaped the sea cage, causing sharks to flock to the area and the new shark presence has sparked concerns over a second breach.
Huon Aquaculture has not confirmed a second breach, stating that they do not give out "commercially sensitive information."
The New South Wales government's DPI Fisheries (Department of Primary Industries) shares ownership of the fish farms with Huon Aquaculture making an objective investigation into the matter impossible for the government to provide.
Chairman of the Marine Parks Association Frank Future is calling for an independent inquiry as well as more oversight of the company.
Mr. Future also says the manager for Huon Aquaculture was sacked, though the reason for that is unknown.
The environmental impact, Mr. Future says, has been visible almost immediately after the shark's arrival, with less and less fish and dolphins staying in the area.
Despite the release of about 20,000 fish and the new shark population prevalent in the ecosystem, no environmental impact assessment has been attempted thus far.
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| Packs of Great Whites, Tiger and Bull Sharks Have Been Feasting On Escaped Kingfish |
