Catch and Release Could Be Doing Serious Harm

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A study from the University of Newcastle shows catch-and-release fishing may be having a seriously damaging effect on sharks.

During the study, one group of sharks were exposed to the air for up to fifteen minutes in controlled conditions to represent being left on deck, and a second group were released immediately after being pulled from the water.

Underwater drones were used to capture footage of how the animals behaved in their regular habitat following the exposure, and the results show the ability to swim away does not reflect a shark's health.

Sharks captured and exposed to a boat deck for fifteen minutes swam for a maximum of thirty seconds after release before becoming largely immobile for five minutes, a worrying trend linked to high stress, oxygen starvation and thermal shock.

Marine Ecologist Dr Vincent Raoult said the key message he wants fishermen to understand is that if they intend to keep a shark alive, they must release it as soon as physically possible.

"This often means actually cutting the line as close as you possibly can to the hook and releasing the shark immediately," said Dr Raoult.

"It's better to leave the hook in, in many cases, than to take a long time fighting the shark trying to get the hook out and getting to that level where the animals are very stressed and are potentially going to have long-term impacts on their health."

Dr Raoult stressed that fishermen need to stop taking a shark's ability to swim off as an indicator they've treated it appropriately.

"They need to listen to the research, not just my research, but a growing body of research that suggests sharks are very threatened by a lot of these fishing practices."

Image: ABC

Whale Remains Result In Increased Shark Activity Along Lake Macquarie Coastline

BY JARROD MELMETH

Beachgoers are being urged to exercise caution over the next few days, due to the potential of increased shark activity with whale remains discovered in the area.

Redhead and Blacksmiths Beaches were closed late Monday due to the discovery but reopened on Tuesday morning following an assessment where no sharks were sighted.

Council's Beach Lifeguard, Paul Stone said increased reports of sighting in the area indicated there was a potential for increased shark activity.

"Lake Macquarie is blessed to have such a beautiful stretch of coastline that many residents and visitors take advantage of especially during the warmer months, however, the activity presents a heightened risk to swimmers and surfers.

Mr Stone said lifeguards would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.

Image: Newcastle Star.

Shark Drones Return to Hunter Beaches

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A drone program improving safety at local beaches is being expanded to two popular Hunter swimming spots.

The state government will roll out the drones at Birubi and Redhead beaches this summer, allowing lifeguards another set of eyes on the surf.

The drones will be in operation from November 1st and will offer a birds-eye view for lifeguards to spot potential risks from the air.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot Macdonald has said that while risk prevention is the priority, the drones will also inform future approaches for the NSW Shark Management Strategy.

The local beaches are among 15 across the NSW coast trialling the technology until April 2019.

A bull shark filmed off Redhead Beach during last season's drone trial. Image: The Herald

Scientists to Save our Sharks

BY TYLER FARDELL


Sharks are a very polarizing animal. Many are afraid of them and avoid swimming at the beach, while others love the impressive creatures and do all they can to protect them.

Dr Vincent Raoult from the University of Newcastle is one of the latter and along with 72 other similar minded scientists from all over the world, they recently undertook a study trying to determine where different types of sharks mainly feed.

"If we know where sharks get their food from, we know which areas may be useful to protect", Mr Raoult said.

Shark numbers have steadily declined for hundreds of years, with an estimated 10 percent of shark numbers remaining.

The main reasons behind the saddening decline include hunting, recreational fishing, sharks getting caught up in nets or rubbish and overfishing.

"We have already seen the impacts of overfishing on the sea-food industry and the livliehoods of many fishermen and now we're seeing it on sharks", Mr Raoult said.

"Many sharks have been unable to find any food or having to travel longer and longer distances to find a food supply".

The scientists are hoping the results of this study will go a long way to ensure areas where sharks regularly feed are left alone by commercial fishermen.