NSW Government Protects Hammerhead Sharks

[aussie123]

The NSW Government has just protected 2 types of Hammerheads so if anyone is heading south be very careful of your species identification for Hammerheads or you will get busted.

Same goes for anyone fishing wide off the SE corner of QLD in NSW waters.

The Hon Katrina Hodgkinson MP

Minister for Primary Industries

Minister for Small Business

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, 24 May 2012

NSW GOVERNMENT PROTECTS HAMMERHEAD SHARKS

NSW Primary Industries Minister, Katrina Hodgkinson, said the Great Hammerhead Shark has been listed as a Vulnerable Species and the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark as an Endangered Species in NSW.

“Following a detailed assessment, both species are now totally protected, meaning that they may no longer be taken by recreational or commercial fishers,†Ms Hodgkinson said.

“It is an offence to harm, sell or possess threatened species or damage their habitat without a specific permit, licence of other appropriate approval.

“Penalties for breaching these rules can be severe, ranging up to $220,000 and two years in prison.â€

The threatened species are particularly susceptible to population depletion.

“Hammerheads have late onset of maturity, long gestation periods, produce relatively few pups and have high rates of pup mortality,†Ms Hodgkinson said.

“Scalloped Hammerheads can also form dense aggregations and large migratory schools that are highly vulnerable to fishing.

“Other shark species listed as protected are the Grey Nurse Shark as Critically Endangered and the Great White Shark as Vulnerable.â€

Further information on protected species can be found on the Fisheries Scientific Committee’s website at www.fsc.nsw.gov.au

[ellicat]

This will hit the hardware industry hard :silly: