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22/06/2005: "RETURN OF THE VANISHING GREY NURSE"

Three divers decending at Seal Rocks (NSW) and unknowingly about to 'spook' a school of young grey nurse sharks by simply approaching them. Grey Nurse went into decline between 1963 and 1988. By the time this picture was taken in 1991, populations had returned and numbered in the hundred. The vanishing grey nurse theroy began in the mid 1980's and was never questioned even when the sharks returned. The shark avoided over-zealous divers by often swimming into deeper water. Never was this a consideration by those well-meaning people involved. The ocean is a big place. Knowing exactly what is happening there is always a calculated guess by all concerned.

By 2005 grey nurse sharks see divers as non-aggressive visitors and accept our presence, with the help of some rules about not closely approaching them.

Why the sudden and rapid population increase in 1988 from what had appeared near extinction? Many questions and still so few answers.