Local Initiatives Protect Sharks and Rays in South Australia's Waters
Local Initiatives Protect Sharks and Rays in South Australia's Waters
In a major breakthrough for marine preservation, Australia's South region introduced the country's most extensive protections for sharks, rays, and chimera on December 16th. These new rules, initiated by a community-driven campaign, aim to safeguard 77 types of these marine creatures from overfishing and inhumane treatment. The protections range from complete fishing bans to daily catch limits and size restrictions, reflecting the growing understanding of the ecological and inherent worth of these ocean denizens.
Much credit for this initiative goes to Chloe Roberts, a PhD candidate at Flinders University and a member of the Southern Shark Ecology Group. Working closely with The Shark and Ray Coalition, Chloe played a key role in gathering support from environmental groups, scuba divers, researchers, and snorkelers. Together, they submitted detailed proposals to South Australia’s Primary Industries and Regions SA in 2022, pushing for stronger measures to protect vulnerable sharks and rays.
Their efforts have borne fruit.
The new regulations include a complete ban on fishing for eight shark species, no-take limits for 12 types of skates and stingrays, and size restrictions for various ray species. These measures come with severe penalties for violations, with fines reaching up to $20,000 AUD. Sarah Cameron from The Shark and Ray Coalition underscored the importance of this milestone: “South Australia was trailing behind other regions in terms of laws protecting sharks and rays, but now we are leading the country and setting a new standard for safeguarding these creatures. People who oppose this kind of cruelty will now be penalized.”
Roberts' research focuses on the diet and movements of local sharks, rays, and chimaeras, providing crucial insights into their ecological roles. She underscores that around one-third of all these marine creatures face conservation challenges, mainly due to fishing pressures. “The valuable services these species render to the environment and the affection people have for them as beloved beachgoers is becoming more appreciated,” Chloe said in a press release from Flinders. “I am delighted that PIRSA has been so supportive in helping get these new rules in place to protect our marine life. We are grateful to Minister Scriven for her and her department’s support, which has helped South Australia take the lead in managing sharks and rays.”
For Roberts and her coalition allies, this triumph is not just about enforcing regulations but also about fostering a behavioral change in how sharks and rays are viewed and treated. The regulations are designed not only to curb abuse but also to ensure the long-term sustainability of South Australia’s marine ecosystems, where these animals serve vital roles as predators and ecosystem engineers. “It's high time these sentient marine creatures were granted the same respect and regulations given to land animals,” Cameron stated.
The implementation of these rules will involve a wide-ranging communications plan led by PIRSA and supported by the coalition. This plan aims to educate fishers about the new regulations and teach them how to safely release unwanted or protected catch. The coalition hopes this success will inspire similar measures in other regions, further enhancing Australia’s status as a global leader in marine conservation.
At present, the conservation community is relishing a well-deserved triumph.
The ban on fishing for eight shark species is one of the new measures introduced in South Australia's extensive protections for sharks, rays, and chimera. Chloe Roberts, a PhD candidate at Flinders University, played a significant role in pushing for these protections with The Shark and Ray Coalition. The implementation of these rules will also include an education program for fishers about safely releasing unwanted or protected catch. With these new regulations, South Australia is now leading the country in setting a standard for shark and ray conservation. The significance of this milestone is highlighted by Sarah Cameron from The Shark and Ray Coalition, who mentions that it's time these sentient marine creatures were granted the same respect and regulations given to land animals.