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03/06/2007: "GREY NURSE SHARKS ........ 6000 in New South Wales"
Swimming with sharks has become a multi million dollar business world wide.
This has evolved from the work of underwater cinematographers and documentary films.
Conservation groups estimate the population of grey nurse sharks in New South Wales to be about 500.
Active freedivers put the real count at closer to 6000.
High level discussions in Sydney this week will hear evidence from both sides.
The conservation term that grey nurse sharks are so tame they are being called the labradores of the sea is misleading.
I still give the species the same danger rating we published in fathom many years ago, that is 4/10 with white pointer sharks 10/10 and tigers 9/10.
It would be possible to have a grey nurse inflict serious injury under exceptional circumstances. Remote - yet far from impossible.
The apparent disregard for the steady increase of grey nurse shark numbers since 1986, including deeper reefs not seen by scuba divers, discredits the largely good intentions of conservation-minded people.
Relying on old estimates and overlooking the self-interest of tour operators is a gross error.
What do grey nurse sharks eat and what impact is this having on sealife?
Beach fishermen, working at night in the surf zone for large jewfish at Lake Cathie NSW last month, caught three grey nurse sharks over a few days, reports Vic Ley who saw the pictures.
The largest was about three meters. A reminder the species is a nocturnal feeder. A reminder why they are quiet by day.
Quiet by day yet far from harmless in the dark and twilight hours – a long way from anything like the new and misleading docile dog analogy.
