Please read!! (Especially Aussies)

[ReefTroll]

Sea Shepherd - Queensland Ozzie Politicians Plan Shark Attack

[blaiz]

This is the kind of stuff that makes me sick to my stomach! Media is so full of S$#! and they claim to be the only way to learn the truth.

Truth my eye, all this hype driven by those with deep pockets and the idiots trying to get their hands in them as well.

[BennyB]

That sounds a little odd, is there an information source other than the Sea Shepherd group? With a group like that it's probably best to corroborate any information first.

Cheers,
Ben

[yugyug]

I can't find any mention of this in any credible source. The Sea Shepherd site itself does not reference any credible news media nor any piece of proposed legislation. Its seems to me to be just an example of hyperbole to create a greater buzz around the very bland news of Rob Stewart having a cocktail conversation with a Queensland Minister. Pretty shallow. Unfortunately its been mirrored on dubious sites all around the net and now on deeperblue.

(I kind of started a big rant about how this kind of stuff badly effects the positive work of the AUF and Australian spearfishermen in general re: sanctuary zones etc, but decided to pull it back for now, unless someone else what to get this discussion going........

[Erik]

Well at least it's brought up here and discussed. Anything to get closer to reality. Not like you'd get reality from most media sources.

[yugyug]

Originally Posted by Erik

Well at least it's brought up here and discussed. Anything to get closer to reality. Not like you'd get reality from most media sources.

well I think the issue is that websites and forums can be just as bad as traditional media if we don't check facts or mindlessly copy fabricated "news" . The difference is that media slants the truth to to what they think people want to hear whereas blogs and ppl on forums can make up anything to promote personal agendas.

(I realise the full text has now been edited out of the original post, so my comments don't really apply to the way this thread exists now. I also don't disagree with everything in the linked text, I think news media does unfairly demonize sharks, I'm just talking about the shark finning industry bit)

[BennyB]

Just a quick note to say that I took out the information from the first post as it was in breach of DeeperBlue.net's forum rules. Placing a link to a website is fine but copying and pasting slabs of information from other websites can get us in trouble. There was nothing nasty posted by ReefTroll.

You can access the same information by clicking on the link in the first post.

Interesting debate, i'll be looking around for further information, particularly as i'll be living in Queensland at some point in the future.

Cheers,
Ben

[Mongrel454]

What a load of BS!!!

it will never happen

[Erik]

Originally Posted by yugyug

well I think the issue is that websites and forums can be just as bad as traditional media if we don't check facts or mindlessly copy fabricated "news" .

Oh I'm with you on that!
Cheers,
Erik

[ReefTroll]

Australian Marine Conservation Society - Media 24 January 2008

Also here but you never know if they're linked or not.

I posted it here in the hope somebody COULD find some truth on it, either way.

[Britney Spearz]

Surely it has to be a hoax...

[yugyug]

I had a look at the AMC article and the references given from the Dept. of Primary Industries and Fisheries. I am not an expert in any way, but this is my interpretation for what its worth:

The document the article seems to be talking about is this
http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/extra/pdf...re-Dec2007.pdf
which outlines the proposed changes to the fishery by the DPI&F. There is a section on the shark fishery, and they plan to implement a new letter licensing system to limit the number of potentially active commercial shark fishers - N4 for those who target shark primarily and S for those who catch shark as bycatch. Additional restrictions will be added to help sharks sensitive to fishing such as sawfish. I think the idea is promote the fishing of black tips and younger shark (not breeding adults) in preferences to other sharks because there is some scientific data to suggest they can be sustainably harvested. The DPI&F has also been buying out licensees, which has probably resulted in the drop in shark capture over the last 3 years or so - note that the AMC article mentions the 4 fold increase in the 2003-2004 period but this was a peak and the 2006 figures are back at the 1999 levels.

So far, all of this seems like an improvement over what happens currently. I understand the conservation groups desire for zero shark fishing - but this is addressed by the department as being economically unfeasible and controversial because it cannot be demonstrated that sustainable shark fishing is impossible.

An interesting section in the DPI&F proposals, whch may have been the instigation for the AMC and Sea Shepherds articles is this:
"5. A requirement for fishers who do not hold an S symbol to keep sharks and rays whole (i.e. with fins on). " page 27 from the link above

I'm not sure exactly what this implies, but my guess would be that as "S" license designations are for those who have shark as bycatch, it maybe to specifically prevent shark-finning by those who target sharks primarily (N4). In which case the conservation groups might have got it backwards. But to be fair, I don't understand the implications of exempting the S licensees from this requirement. Maybe someone else can comment?

But even if it were legally possible, would it actually happen? Consider the cultural objections. Many Australians have seen how disgusting and wasteful the practice is from coverage of it in Indonesia and other places. If the DPI&F let it happen in Queensland the press (mainstream press, that is) would be all over it. I just can't see it happening.

[BennyB]

I contacted the Queensland Department of Primary Industries a couple of days ago, I received a confirmation and they've forwarded my query to the Fisheries dept. Hopefully they'll respond soon enough.

Cheers,
Ben

[BennyB]

I received a response today (surprisingly quick turnaround) in an email from a Senior Fisheries Management Officer of the QLD Dept of Primary Industries & Fisheries. Whilst it doesn't specifically address my query about the commencement of a shark finning fishery he did outline the current legislation which maintains that the fisher must have both the fin and the body of the shark in their possession.

I appreciate your concerns about shark sustainability, especially given the experiences in some developing countries where sharks are now under serious threat. In Australia however, there are a much smaller number of tightly managed and closely monitored shark fisheries that must meet strict sustainability guidelines in order to continue to operate.

In Queensland , there is already an existing shark fishery on the east coast. This fishery is currently being reviewed to ensure that catch is constrained, better information is collected and more vulnerable species of shark are protected. Commercial operators in this fishery already hold a licence that allows them to commercially net for shark, amongst a range of other species. The proposed changes are designed to reduce the number of fishers that have access to shark and focus the catch on smaller size classes of more productive species. This has been demonstrated to be an effective management method for sustainable shark fisheries in other parts of Australia . In addition to proposed changes to the commercial fishery, it is also proposed that a bag limit of one be placed on recreational fishers to limit catches.
There are a number of shark species that have been identified as more vulnerable than others. To address the risks to these species it is proposed that freshwater sawfish and speartooth shark be made no-take and the catch of green sawfish, dwarf sawfish, white spotted guitarfish, grey reef shark and white tip reef shark be heavily restricted to one only in possession. In addition, the grey nurse and great white sharks are already fully protected in Queensland waters.
Additionally, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was rezoned in 2004, with around 30 percent of the Marine Park now closed to fishing. This provides another form of protection to sharks, such as those you mentioned, the white tip and grey reef shark. Further closures to commercial and recreational fishing are also proposed in a Draft Zoning Plan for the Moreton Bay Marine Park .
In relation to your specific queries about shark finning, I am advised that there are already regulations in place that prevent the finning at sea and dumping of shark bodies. The Fisheries Regulation 2008 states that whilst at sea a fisher must have in their possession both the fins and the body of the shark from which the fin was taken. In addition, a person who possesses a shark must not divide it into portions other than in a way that allows an inspector to easily count the number of sharks possessed by the person.
If you are interested in further information related to shark in Queensland , I would encourage you to read the 2007 Status Reports for the East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery, which can be accessed on the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries’ (DPI&F) website at: Fisheries annual status reports
I can assure you that the sustainable management of shark in Queensland is one of my highest priorities.

It is also important to note that Government is still to consider the proposed management arrangements before any changes are introduced. The views expressed by stakeholders, other government agencies and representative bodies will be of critical importance during this decision making process.

[Shadowkiller]

This whole "issue" was a beat up by various extremist green groups with nothing better to do that to lie to the public.

The essence of the proposal was to make the currently open shark fishery a closed fishery via the use of licenses. The AMCS took the opportunity to make up false claims in an attempt to close down shark fishing entirely. Whilst the closure of shark fishing is desirable, lying through your teeth to the public is just despicable. The greenies have lost the plot.