Western Australian fishers are urged to provide input into a national research project looking at ways to reduce shark depredation across Australia.
Shark depredation or ‘bite offs’ occur when a shark partially or completely consumes a fisher’s catch before it can be landed.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is taking part in a national Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) project led by Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to examine shark depredation around the country and look at the effectiveness of available mitigation measures.
DPIRD senior principal research scientist Gary Jackson said shark depredation was a significant issue for Western Australia’s recreational, commercial and charter fishers particularly in the Gascoyne and Pilbara regions.
“DPIRD has previously undertaken studies to gain a better understanding of the issue and provide advice to fishers on how to minimise the impacts,” Dr Jackson said.
Dr Jackson said resolving shark depredation would require multiple approaches including understanding shark behaviour, adoption of emerging deterrent technology and fisher education and behaviour change.
“The project is bringing together the scientific expertise and studies done by researchers across the country and internationally to explore potential new ways to address the issue,” he said.
“WA’s Indigenous, commercial, recreational and charter fisheries will have the opportunity to provide feedback on their fishing experiences through an online survey in March next year.
“Around the same time, DPIRD will also hold a series of regional workshops for fishing industry leaders to further explore the impacts of shark depredation on fishing, what mitigation measures have been or are currently being tested or used and new solutions for managing the issue.”
More information on managing shark bites offs for WA fishers can be found on the website.
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