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20/07/2007: "FIRST THOUGHTS ON SHARK CONSERVATION"
It was inspired by our friend and underwater photographer Irvin Rockman - "that we set the young sharks free - to swim away". How shocking!
We were at North Stradbroke Island, Queensland filming a joint-venture about sharks with NHK the Japanese network.
Marine researcher John C. Fairfax (above with girlfriend Sandra Greentree) performed a cesarean on the 2 meter bull shark on the beach which produced to our amazement seven healthy young sharks.
In 1969 it would have been appropriate to rid the sea of every shark.
Irvin Rockman (later to be the colorful Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne and author of Underwater Australia) insisted the sharks be set free.
This was our turning point and a small early beginning toward shark conservation thoughts in Australia.
The 16mm film became a three-minute sequence in Aquarius which was retained for repeats in newer feature length documentary films Queensland Seafari and especially the very successful Australian Seafari (1988-1999).
All should be awaiting release on DVD with updated soundtracks.
(This may or may never happen due to other priorities).
