Objective 3: Quantify and reduce the impact of recreational fishing on the grey nurse shark through incidental (accidental and/or illegal) take, throughout its range. Indicative Responsible costing agencies and Only priority 1 potential actions are Action Description Priority Performance Criteria partners costed 3.1 Develop mechanisms and 1 Grey nurse shark sighting DoE, Approximately • protocols that facilitate program for recreational fishers governments, $10,000 – reporting by recreational developed within one year, research 50,000 for 3.1 fishers of interactions with including identification guides agencies, and 3.2 grey nurse sharks. and reporting protocols. recreational Mechanisms chosen should fishing groups foster the understanding and that any reported conservation interaction will be received groups without prejudice. 3.2 Encourage recreational 1 Grey shark sighting program DoE and state Approximately • fishers (and spear fishers) to developed and utilised by governments, $10,000 – utilise the sighting program recreational fishers within one recreational 50,000 for 3.1 (link to action 3.1) to report year. fishing groups and 3.2 and provide, where possible, and Practical identification materials • photographic evidence of conservation distributed. sightings and interactions groups Report detailing catch levels is with grey nurse sharks. • prepared on annual basis. Requested information from fishers should include estimated number, size and weight of sharks, as well as site location and depth. 3.3 Undertake research into 1 Research into hook related injury DoE, state Core • grey nurse shark interactions undertaken within two years. governments, government with recreational fishing recreational business Fishing gear/methods reviewed • gear/methods to inform the fishing groups within one year, in consultation development of risk and with recreational fishers, and mitigation strategies such as conservation gear modified or removed where spatial, temporal or methods groups necessary. based restrictions. Changes introduced which • modify or remove fishing gear/methods that pose a high risk of incidental capture of grey nurse sharks from key aggregation sites. Evaluation of spatial closures • undertaken.
Objective 3: Quantify and reduce the impact of recreational fishing on the grey nurse shark through incidental (accidental and/or illegal) take, throughout its range. Action Description Priority Performance Criteria Responsible agencies and potential partners Indicative costing Only priority 1 actions are costed 3.1 Develop mechanisms and protocols that facilitate reporting by recreational fishers of interactions with grey nurse sharks. Mechanisms chosen should foster the understanding that any reported interaction will be received without prejudice. 1 • Grey nurse shark sighting program for recreational fishers developed within one year, including identification guides and reporting protocols. DoE, governments, research agencies, recreational fishing groups and conservation groups Approximately $10,000 – 50,000 for 3.1 and 3.2 3.2 Encourage recreational fishers (and spear fishers) to utilise the sighting program (link to action 3.1) to report and provide, where possible, photographic evidence of sightings and interactions with grey nurse sharks. Requested information from fishers should include estimated number, size and weight of sharks, as well as site location and depth. 1 • Grey shark sighting program developed and utilised by recreational fishers within one year. • Practical identification materials distributed. • Report detailing catch levels is prepared on annual basis. DoE and state governments, recreational fishing groups and conservation groups Approximately $10,000 – 50,000 for 3.1 and 3.2 3.3 Undertake research into grey nurse shark interactions with recreational fishing gear/methods to inform the development of risk mitigation strategies such as spatial, temporal or methods based restrictions. 1 • Research into hook related injury undertaken within two years. • Fishing gear/methods reviewed within one year, in consultation with recreational fishers, and gear modified or removed where necessary. • Changes introduced which modify or remove fishing gear/methods that pose a high risk of incidental capture of grey nurse sharks from key aggregation sites. • Evaluation of spatial closures undertaken. DoE, state governments, recreational fishing groups and conservation groups Core government business