BY KAYNE STEPHENS
Injured sea creatures unlikely to survive in Hunter waterways are being saved from fish markets and then looked after in public aquariums.
The new Shark and Ray Rescue Centre which opened this week at Bobs Farm is allowing Port Stephens fishermen to bring in injured creatures for rescue.
The Centre's Director, Andrew Tindale, says rescued sharks and rays are raised until they're big enough to move into public aquariums.
"The alternative is that they've got a very low chance of surviving if they are hurt," he said.
"We can do a lot with the animals as an educational tool, whether that be in our aquarium or in public ones just showing people that sharks and rays are quite cool and unique animals and are deserving of protection," he said.
Mr Tindale says the rescue centre has formed a partnership with fishermen who sometimes encounter the creatures.
"We're working with local commercial fishermen to take any shark and rays that may be damaged in their nets, and also buying some of their catch that they would normally sell as food."
The Rescue Centre is also planning to build a seahorse and clownfish farm also aimed to help reduce the number of creatures caught and sold for food.
"We've got our first batches of breeding animals and we're looking to slowly produce baby seashores. We've got a few pregnant seahorses at the moment.
"The clownfish, it's the same principle. Anything we can breed and sell to the aquariums takes pressure off wild caught animals," he said.
More information about visitor pricing and memberships can be found at www.sharkray.com.au
It's hoped the rescue centre will mean fewer creatures are sold for food or caught for aquariums. Image: Andrew Tindale.
