White Sharks Count a great success

The Conservation Council’s White Sharks Count project has proven a huge success, with 63 reports of shark sightings received from commercial and recreational fishers, charter boat operators and other users of South Australia's marine environment.

The purpose of the project is to use sighting of white sharks by the general public to build a picture of the sharks status and movements in local waters. This previously untapped resource is a simple yet effective way of getting the community involved with a real conservation project.

The white shark, which has lived in our oceans for millions of years, is protected under both Commonwealth and State legislation due to its hugely reduced numbers and its extremely slow recovery rate.

This website contains some fact sheets on the white shark, an up to date sightings map and a link for you to report a sighting. Remember if you see one, DON'T JUST TELL YOUR MATES!

Chris Ball, the Marine Programs Manager for the Conservation Council, believes White Sharks Count will significantly increase the knowledge of white shark movements across the Eyre Peninsula region. “Prior to the commencement of this project, information on the majority of white shark sightings never went any further than telling your mates at the local pub or store” said Mr Ball. “We are now able to capture that information and learn a lot more about this seriously depleted species.”

“Clearly we need much more information over an extended period of time to be able to get a really good picture, but this has been a fantastic start” Mr Ball said. “We strongly encourage all users of the marine environment to get behind the project and report all sightings to us”. Mr Ball stressed however that where sharks are thought to pose a threat to marine users they should be reported immediately to Police on 000 or FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522.

In an innovative approach, White Sharks Count has set up a network of “local contacts” across the region, so that people can report sightings to someone within their own town or area. “The level of community support has been amazing” said Coffin Bay oyster grower, Lester Marshall, who was involved in setting up the project. “It clearly demonstrates both the interest in white sharks in our community and the value of involving local people in gathering this sort of information.”

The project was established with funding from the Natural Heritage Trust through the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board and support from the Eyre Regional Development Board, PIRSA Fisheries, SARDI Aquatic Sciences at Port Lincoln, the Abalone Industry Association, Rodney Fox Shark Experience, the Marine Education Society of Australasia, the Marine and Coastal Community Network and the general community.

White Sharks Count will also increase community awareness of the status, threats to, and biology of white sharks though a brochure which is available through local stores, pubs, libraries, tackle shops, etc.

The Conservation Council believes it is vital that funding be secured to develop additional education resources and expand the project across the state. “We have clearly demonstrated that White Sharks Count is able to deliver valuable information which will make a meaningful contribution to our understanding of the movements of this amazing creature” said Mr Ball. “This project will provide significant benefits from a conservation, and potentially from a public safety, point of view”

“We call on the Commonwealth and State Governments to demonstrate their commitment to the recovery of one of our most endangered marine species through the provision of ongoing funding to enable the project to operate across the state on an ongoing basis” concluded Mr Ball.

Comment:

Chris Ball, Marine Programs Manager, CCSA 0408 089491

Lester Marshall 0429 855021

Local Contacts