Shark species' future divides community

[mackmauler]

not to mention shark nets and drumlines within a few km of closed areas ???

[SeaHunt]

In this day and age there is no excuse for us to let any species become extinct.

I don't see the point of going to great expense or effort in trying to save every species on the planet, especially if its demise has nothing to do with man.
As I said before this has been going on since the beginning of life on this planet and playing God by trying to save an otherwise doomed species is just as irresponsible as wipeing one out.
Natures way has always been survival of the fittest, those species that can adapt survive a long time , like the crocodile, others come and go in a short period of time , like say the sabre tooth tiger, because they over specialise or/and cannot adapt when the environment changes.

Having said that I do believe we should take all reasonable steps to ensure the survival of the Grey Nurse because we are largely responsible for their low numbers . A lot of trigger happy DIVERS blew most of them away in the early 70's with power heads on their spear guns.
Ironically they are now the only #ones allowed in the protected zones. This could be why the sharks have not returned , they are still fearful of divers. # #

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

It is estimated as few as 300 grey nurse sharks remain in pockets up and down the eastern seaboard.

"It is estimated as few as 300 grey nurse sharks remain in known pockets up and down the eastern seaboard."

takes a different context when you do that. Divers & scientists see less than 1 percent of the coffee rock structure on the eastern seaboard.

I believe the CAUSE is worthwhile,

I DOUBT the legitimacy of the science when they make claims I know to be false (I too have encountered nurse in the bay along the Amity Wall & on the sandy beaches of straddie) - I think GN are more widespread & travelled than documented

I don't trust the MOTIVATION of most dive operators who drop a dozen divers up to six times a day on a "breeding" ground then get concerned about their dwindling numbers - not even porn stars are used to crowds like that ! #

chris

[SeaHunt]

Actually I caught a bit of a doco on the tube at the weekend, and that Ben Cropp tool was diving with some people off some remote rocky Island and the place was swarming with Grey Nurse Sharks, the guy said that there were about 140 there the previous week and good old Ben even counted about 90 on his dive. Not sure where it was but I got the impression it was off Southern NSW or Victoria. So 140 all in one place and only 300 all up , can't see it.

It wasn't an old doco either, couple of years at most.

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

mr cropp dived on our grey nurse off flatrock recently too - a good mate of mine put him on the spot - lights, cameras action - great stuff to encourage breeding, hey.

My mate has since quit that operation - not too happy with the way they do things - its all about making dollars.

chris