Fishers gather to discuss solutions for shark depredation
With shark bite-offs now being reported at record levels, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) fisheries scientists are working with the State’s fishing industries to help reduce the impacts of shark depredation when landing a fish.
The project brings together scientific experts and fishers around northern Australia to explore potential new ways to address the issue.
As part of the project, DPIRD researchers invited WA’s commercial, recreational and charter fisheries to one of six workshops across the State to discuss the science behind the effectiveness of existing mitigation measures.
DPIRD senior principal research scientist, Gary Jackson, said the workshops were recently held in Broome, Exmouth, Karratha, Port Hedland, Geraldton and Perth where fishers provided feedback on their experiences with shark depredation and the effectiveness of their mitigation methods.
“Shark depredation is a significant problem in WA particularly in the Gascoyne, Pilbara and Kimberley regions and has significant socio-economic and ecological impacts, including loss of catch and fishing gear for fishers and additional mortality of target species,” Dr Jackson said.
DPIRD has previously undertaken studies to gain a better understanding of the issue including testing deterrent devices to provide advice to fishers on how to minimise the impacts of depredation.
Workshop attendees had the opportunity to share their fishing experiences and contribute to the science behind any new methods to be tested, ensuring they are the most likely to succeed and are practical and cost-effective for fishers to use.
Dr Jackson said managing shark depredation would require multiple approaches including understanding shark behaviour, adoption of emerging deterrent technology and fisher education and behaviour change.
The workshops were part of a national Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) funded project led by Queensland’s (QLD) Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in collaboration with DPIRD and others in the Northern Territory, QLD and New South Wales to investigate approaches to mitigate shark depredation.
More information on managing shark bites offs for WA fishers can be found on the website