Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L01506:reg:2013:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L01506
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2013 (pt 8/32)
Character Range: 20943–24034

paper has been developed to provide detailed background
information on the biology, population status and threats to the white shark, as well as to
identify research and management priorities. The 2013 Recovery Plan for the White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) in Australia should therefore be read in conjunction with the 2013 Issues Paper for the White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) (DSEWPaC, 2013), which can
be found at: www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery-list-common.html

6 Threats

The principal threats to the white shark in Australia are outlined in the 2013 Issues Paper for the White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) (DSEWPaC, 2013). These threats are similar to those identified in the 2002 White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) Recovery Plan (EA, 2002) and can be summarised as:
   * Mortality related to being caught accidentally (bycatch) or illegally (targeted) by commercial and recreational fisheries, including issues of post release mortality.
   * Mortality related to shark control activities such as beach meshing or drumlining
     (east coast population).

Other potential threats to the species include the impacts of illegal trade in white shark
products; ecosystem effects as a result of habitat modification and climate change
(including changes in sea temperature, ocean currents and acidification); and ecotourism, including cage diving. The life history characteristics and habitat use of the white shark requires that actions to manage these threats are focused on minimising impacts on survivorship and protecting critical habitat.

7 Populations that require protective measures

The actions described in this recovery plan are designed to provide ongoing protection
for the white shark throughout its Australian range.

There is evidence of genetic structuring within the Australian white shark population.
Recent genetic evidence provides support for maternal structuring between the eastern and south-western coastal regions (Blower et al., 2012). It is suggested that this structuring is a result of philopatry, where individuals range widely but return to their birth place for biological purposes, such as breeding (Blower et al., 2012). These results are in accordance with the tracking data, which show individual white sharks moving up and down the east and west coasts but not moving between the regions (Bruce et al., 2006, Bruce & Bradford, 2012).
Blower et al., (2012) also found evidence of maternal genetic structuring between the
New South Wales and Queensland white shark populations, which may be a result of
as yet unidentified pupping grounds existing in Queensland.

The genetically distinct populations on the eastern and south-western coasts of Australia
could be exposed to detrimental genetic effects from population declines (Blower et al., 2012). This suggests that the Australian population should be managed as two management units,
one on the east coast and one on the south-west coast.  Further research is required to better understand population structure, size and diversity (Blower et al., 2012).