[Paddlewise] Oz protects whale shark

Forwarded with permission.  

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Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2001 13:36:36 +0100
To: ELASMO-L_at_phaedrus.wt.luc.edu
From: Rachel Cavanagh <rachel_at_naturebureau.co.uk>
Subject: Oz protects whale shark

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AUSTRALIA PROTECTS WORLD'S LARGEST LIVING FISH

Federal Environment Minister Robert Hill announced today that the Whale
Shark, the world's largest fish, has been listed as nationally threatened
under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity and Conservation Act 1999.


Senator Hill said there was evidence of a substantial decline in numbers of
Whale Sharks.

"The Australian population of Whale Sharks is shared with other countries in
our region.  While migration patterns are poorly understood, we know from
satellite tracking that some individual sharks migrate up to 12,000
kilometres."  

"Unfortunately, whale sharks are still hunted in some countries in the
region.  This has led to a substantial decline in the regional population,
which in turn has reduced the Australian population of whale sharks."    

In 1999, a single whale shark fin was reported on sale in China for
US$15,000.  

"I am pleased that this magnificent creature will now be protected under the
EPBC Act in Commonwealth and State waters.  Australia also supports listing
of the Whale Shark under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES), which will help promote international efforts to protect
the species."

The Whale Shark is found in tropical and warm temperate seas, inhabiting
shallow and deep coastal waters as well as lagoons, coral atolls and reefs. 

"The whale shark is a magnificent, gentle creature, closely related to the
wobbegong shark.  It grows to 20 metres long and has a pattern of lines and
spots that provides camouflage in its ocean environment."

"The whale shark is globally rare.  Prior to the mid-1980's, there were only
350 confirmed reports of whale sharks worldwide.  Even now, only one
pregnant whale shark has ever been recorded and it is not know where they
breed."

"Australia is perhaps the last stronghold for the Whale Shark.  In
Australian waters, whale sharks congregate at Ningaloo (WA), Christmas
Island and the Coral Sea.  These seasonal aggregations, which are believed
to be related to food pulses in each location, are rare elsewhere in the
world."  

Whale sharks are filter-feeding sharks.  They feed on minute organisms
including krill, crab larvae and jellyfish.  Their 3,000 tiny teeth are not
used while feeding.

Senator Hill said that the whale shark is a major drawcard for eco-tourism
in north-west Western Australia.  The Whale Shark watching industry in
Ningaloo is worth around $6 million per annum.  

In addition to the Whale Shark, the Northern River Shark has also been
listed as nationally threatened under the EPBC Act.  

For more information on Australia's threatened marine species contact
Environment Australia's Community Information Unit on freecall 1800 803 772
or visit the web site at http://www.ea.gov.au/coasts/species/index.html

16 October 2001



Rachel Cavanagh
Programme Officer
IUCN Shark Specialist Group
36 Kingfisher Court
Hambridge Road
Newbury
Berkshire RG14 5SJ
UK

Phone:  (+ 44) (0)1635 550380
Fax:    (+ 44) (0)1635 550230
e-mail: rachel_at_naturebureau.co.uk

Shark Specialist Group website:
www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Organizations/SSG/SSGDefault.html



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