Sharks in Macquarie St must leave grey nurse alone

The NSW Opposition should not be backing allegations that grey nurse shark numbers are under reported, according to NSW Greens MP Ian Cohen.

“Opponents of marine parks constantly refer, inaccurately, to the lack of science in the marine park zoning process. Now these same people are telling us that anecdotal evidence from the Spearfishing Association and an alleged anonymous source in NSW Fisheries is proof that the grey nurse shark is not actually endangered at all,” said Mr Cohen.

“Unfounded scare mongering by people with a clear vested interest does not constitute fact.

“The Greens agree that there needs to be more research into grey nurse shark numbers. We would love to see an indication that their numbers are increasing. Unfortunately the consensus among marine experts, as opposed to the vested interests of the fishing industry, is that the grey nurse shark does remain in grave danger.

“Grey nurse sharks have a very slow reproductive rate – they breed once every two years, with a maximum of two pups per litter. This is the lowest rate of any shark. Claims that there has been a recent population explosion are ludicrous.

“The State Opposition is clearly looking for any issue that can give their flagging electoral fortunes a boost. Misinformation peddled by industry lobby groups and desperate politicians should not determine the future of this magnificent apex predator.

“The Federal Department of the Environment also lists the grey nurse as a threatened species. Malcolm Turnbull should be telling his NSW Coalition colleagues to pull their heads in.

“The Labor Government could have done more to protect the grey nurse shark, but it is clear that a NSW Coalition Government would be an unmitigated disaster for the state’s marine environment,” concluded Mr Cohen.