Grey nurse shark
What is being done to protect the grey nurse shark?
Where are the grey nurse shark areas?
What are the new diving requirements?
Are tourist operators affected?
Further information
The grey nurse shark (Carcharias taurus) is one of Australia's most endangered marine species.
Despite not being a threat to man, it was hunted almost to extinction during the 1960s due to its fierce appearance.
Today, activities such as fishing and diving continue to impact on the sharks.
It is estimated that there are less than 500 left along Australia's east coast. Research has indicated that without extra protection, the species could be extinct within 40 years.
The grey nurse shark is listed as endangered under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
What is being done to protect the grey nurse shark?
The department and Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries introduced fishing and diving laws in Moreton Bay Marine Park and at Wolf Rock off Double Island Point in 2003 to protect the grey nurse shark and its habitat.
Three grey nurse shark designated areas, which are also green zones, are provided in the Marine Parks (Moreton Bay) Zoning Plan 2008 (PDF)*.
Where are the grey nurse shark areas?
There are three grey nurse shark areas in Moreton Bay Marine Park (datum GDA94).
- Cherub's Cave (the area in a 1.2km radius of the point 27°07.67' south, 153°28.67'east).
- Flat Rock (the area in a 1.2km radius of the point 27°23.41' south, 153°33.07' east).
- Henderson Rock (the area in a 1.2km radius of the point 27°07.92' south, 153°28.71' east).
What are the diving requirements?
Diving restrictions are in place to protect the grey nurse shark and its habitat.
Divers in the grey nurse shark areas must not:
- dive between 6pm and 6am
- touch or feed a grey nurse shark
- chase, harass or interrupt the swimming patterns or interfere with a grey nurse shark's natural behaviour
- attempt to block cave entrances or gutters, or entrap grey nurse sharks
- use mechanical or electro-acoustic apparatus including, but not limited to, scooters, horns and shark-repelling devices (commercial operators may use equipment required for diving under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995)
- dive as part of a group of more than 10 divers (tourist operators may have groups of up to 12 divers, provided the extra divers are either instructors or guides).
Divers can be fined up to $10,000 for breaking these laws.
The department may also develop a system to manage the number of divers visiting the areas where grey nurse sharks congregate. This may include setting distances between dive groups and limiting the number of groups that may use an area at a time.
These changes were introduced to protect the grey nurse shark and its habitat. However, there is scope to increase restrictions if further protection is needed for the species.
Are tourist operators affected?
Yes. Tourism operators with diving as an activity on their Marine Parks permit and dive clubs that are diving in a grey nurse shark area must do the following.
- Ensure that divers are given information about the restrictions for the zone and about entering or using the grey nurse shark area.
- Display the entry and use provisions for grey nurse shark areas in a prominent position on board all diving boats and in dive shops or clubs that operate or promote diving trips in Moreton Bay Marine Park. Tourist operators and dive clubs can be fined up to $1000 for breaking these laws.
- Entry and use provisions sign - Diving in grey nurse shark areas (PDF, 81K)*
- Map showing grey nurse shark areas (PDF, 30K)*
The unauthorised taking, using or keeping of any part of a grey nurse shark could lead to a fine of up to $300,000.
How can I help protect the grey nurse shark?
There are a number of ways you can help protect the grey nurse shark.
- Carry out a volunteer survey (see below).
- Tell friends and family about grey nurse sharks.
- Report any suspicious activities, death or injuries to the Marine Stranding Hotline.
- Email any information about the grey nurse shark to greynurseshark@epa.qld.gov.au
Divers often record information about grey nurse sharks.
To take part in a survey, download the forms, fill them in and send them to DERM Service Centre, PO Box 402, Cleveland QLD 4163 or fax them to (07) 3821 9001.
Survey data record sheets:
- Diving instructions for carrying out grey nurse shark surveys
- What to do if you catch a grey nurse shark
- Commercial operator grey nurse shark survey
It is also important to record if a grey nurse shark is not seen in a grey nurse shark area.
Record the following information on a sighting or catch a grey nurse shark:
- tag number and colour (if any)
- date, time, location
- water depth and temperature
- sex, and approximate size
- scars, fishing tackle and behaviour.
If possible include photographs or video footage of the shark. To help identify the shark, photograph the shark's distinguishing features such as scars and dark spots from the first dorsal fin to the end of the tail.
Further information
For information about the management of grey nurse sharks in NSW key aggregation sites visit www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au
For information about the management of grey nurse sharks in Commonwealth key aggregation sites visit www.deh.gov.au
If a dead grey nurse shark is caught, retain the body and contact the department.
* Requires Acrobat Reader
Last updated: 03 March 2009