Hammerheads and thresher sharks

The Australia Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF), the peak national body representing Australia’s recreational fishing community, says that the federal Government’s intention not to list five species of shark, three thresher and two hammerhead species, as part of the Convention for Migratory Species (CMS) makes common and practical sense.

ARFF managing director Allan Hansard said: "Australia is a world leader in fisheries and conservation management and already has regulations in place at the national and state levels that provide for the protection of these species. These and other species are monitored and studied and where appropriate adjustments to management are made to maintain protection of these species.

"The listing of these species under the CMS convention into the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Convention Act (EPBC Act) would also create unintended consequences for recreational fishers. If a recreational fisher, by chance, caught one of these species after it was listed he or she could face a potential $170,000 fine or a two-year jail period," Hansard said.

"There are countries that do not have the high level of fisheries and conservation management that Australia has. In these countries these species are under real threat because of inappropriate fishing and conservation management.

"ARFF supports the true intent of the listing of these shark species under the CMS, which is to ensure these countries put in place appropriate fisheries management and conservation measures to protect these species.

"ARFF supports all efforts by Australian governments and non-government organisations to ensure these countries address these issues," Hansard concluded.