Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L01506:reg:2013:p18
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013L01506
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 2013 (pt 18/32)
Character Range: 84688–87641

have mechanisms in place to monitor the impacts of these activities on protected species and, where possible and without compromising bather safety, reduce those impacts. Evidence from both the Queensland and New South Wales shark control programs indicates a long-term decline in the capture of white sharks,
at least during the period since the identification of shark species was recorded. In the New South Wales Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) Program (SMP), there is an indication of an

increase in catch numbers from 2000−2008 from the previous decade (1990−2000) but it is uncertain whether this reflects an actual increase in white shark numbers or is a result of
natural variability. Recorded catches (1980s, 1990s, and 2000s) in the shark meshing program are only a third of those from the 1950s and 1970s (Table 2). In addition, catch-per-unit-effort fell from about 3.5 to < 1 shark(s) per 1000 nets (>70 per cent decrease) in the same period (Malcolm et al., 2001).

Table 2: Reported catches of white sharks in the NSW SMP, 1950/51–2010/11
(NSW DPI, 2009, 2011, 2012).
Year                     1950/     1960/     1970/     1980/     1990/     2000/     2010/2011
                         51–59/60  61–69/70  71–79/80  81–89/90  91–99/00  01–09/10
Number of white sharks   151       106       161       59        44        69        6

The Queensland Shark Control Program has been in existence since 1962 and had caught
631 sharks in nets and on drumlines by 1998 (Malcolm et al., 2001). Catch-per-unit-effort is highly variable but has substantially decreased over time by about 60-75 per cent. Data on white sharks caught per year are available from 1985. There were 63 white sharks caught from 1985−1990, 101 caught from 1990−2000, and 62 caught from 2000−2010. In 2011, six white sharks were caught (QOESR, 2012).

The actions set out in this recovery plan in regard to shark control activities focus on maximising the useful data the programs can provide on white shark biology and ecology and minimising the mortalities on non-target species, without reducing the effectiveness of the programs in maintaining bather safety. Shark control activities for bather protection largely occur in state waters and are therefore subject to state legislation. In Commonwealth waters it is an offence under the EPBC Act to kill a white shark, although the Act does allow for some actions that are reasonably necessary to prevent a risk to human health or to deal with an emergency involving a serious threat to human life.

10.1 Marine bioregional plans

Marine bioregional plans have been prepared under section 176 of the EPBC Act for the
South-west, North-west, North and Temperate East marine regions in Commonwealth waters around Australia. Each marine bioregional plan describes the conservation values of the region, identifies and characterises the pressures affecting these conservation values, and identifies regional priorities