The Dorsal Fin

Australia’s ABC network’s Triple J TV: HACK recently featured a story about the conservation of grey nurse sharks (Carcharias taurus) on the east coast of Australia. Grey nurse sharks (also known as Sand Tiger Sharks, and Spotted Ragged-Tooth Sharks) are reaching critically endangered levels on Australia’s east coast, according to the report. Despite being a protected species, conservationists believe that many of the sharks are still being accidentally hooked by fisherman.

Conflicting views are presented on how to protect and preserve grey nurse shark populations particularly along the coast of New South Wales. Options that are addressed are stricter fishing bans and artificial breeding of the species.

While I don’t know what the ideal solution to the problem is, Nicky Hammond’s assessment of the artificial breeding option makes sense to me. If the cause of the dwindling numbers of this species is not directly addressed, then breeding more sharks is just going to result in more of them being accidentally hooked. Artificially breeding grey nurse sharks would simply be a case of treating the symptoms without delivering a cure.

According to The Northern Star, a surfer survived what is being reported to be a shark bite near Evans Head in New South Wales, Australia. According to the article, Nigel Hughes was surfing on Sunday morning when he felt a strike to his foot, as he was pushing himself up to stand on his board. He sustained an injury to his big toe but was able to catch a wave into shore where friends helped him to a car, wrapped his foot in a towel, and took him to a hospital. Hughes appeared to be in good spirits while awaiting surgery and said the injury would make his holiday a memorable one. He also said that he "definitely" plans on getting back in the water. Hughes did not see the shark and was not willing to speculate on what species it might be.

While Hughes was not willing to speculate, it did not slow the article’s author down from noting that Hughes’ injury occurred in “known Great White territory.” However, the article also includes quotes from a local fishing boat operator, Mick McGilvray, who speculated that the species responsible for Hughes’ injuries was most likely either a bull shark or a bronze whaler. McGilvray also said the offending shark would have been no bigger than 2m in length. Apparently, speculation is good filler when facts are sparse. Regardless of speculation, here’s to a speedy recovery for Mr. Hughes.