Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2014L01089:reg:20:p20
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2014L01089
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 20 (pt 20/33)
Character Range: 86232–89272

and, although there is no current legal directed catch of grey nurse sharks, incidental catch remains a major threat to the species. In particular, trap and line fishers are most likely to come in direct contact with grey nurse sharks. The species is also taken in bottom-set gillnets and trawls. The actions outlined in this recovery plan in relation to commercial fishing focus on improving reporting mechanisms for incidental take and other interactions with grey nurse sharks, including potentially an increase in observer coverage. Implementation of these actions is expected to have a minimal to moderate degree of economic impact on commercial fisheries.

Although recreational fishers have generally been supportive of measures designed to ensure their sport is sustainable, recreational line fishing is still considered to be a major threat to the grey nurse shark. The actions outlined in this recovery plan focus on ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and ensuring reporting mechanisms are in place to adequately assess the impact of recreational fishing on this species. Implementation of these actions will have minimal economic impact on recreational fishers; however, changes in gear types may become necessary. Regular contact and consultation with fishers will be a key strategy in encouraging awareness, support and involvement in the recovery effort.

    13.2 Ecotourism

Grey nurse sharks are of economic value for ecotourism such as scuba diving, snorkelling and viewing through glass bottom boats. Grey nurse shark ecotourism is a relatively recent but rapidly expanding industry that is likely to continue to spread to new centres of grey nurse shark abundance and has the potential to increase coastal community income significantly.

Efforts to minimise degradation of grey nurse shark key aggregation areas will have important socio-economic benefits by protecting the aesthetic values of these areas and enhancing recreation and tourism opportunities. However, in some cases, public access to some key areas may need to be controlled, for example through limits on diver numbers or number of boats. Any such restrictions would need to be developed in consultation with the dive industry.

The involvement of dive groups and aquaria in recovery actions, such as education programs and survey work, requires an in-kind contribution of time and potentially some costs.

    13.3 Habitat modification/degradation

Habitat degradation (e.g. through coastal development, pollution) also threatens this species and may largely exclude it from areas, perhaps traditionally utilised for feeding or as nurseries, where it was historically much more abundant. As near-coast areas are often a preferred habitat, grey nurse shark populations could be adversely affected by coastal habitat degradation and anthropogenic activities in these regions. As more key aggregation sites are identified there is potential for developments to be restricted under the EPBC Act development assessment and approval processes.