Shark Numbers 'declining'

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday January 13, 2009

By JODIE MINUS

DESPITE a spate of sightings, attacks and beach closures, shark numbers are on the decline, according to the Nature Conservation Council.

Windang, Warilla and Blacks beaches were closed as a precautionary measure yesterday after a suspected bull shark attack in Lake Illawarra.

North Wollongong and Sandon Point beaches were also closed briefly in the afternoon after unconfirmed shark sightings.

But Nature Conservation Council executive director Cate Faehrmann said that, despite the sightings, shark populations were in decline internationally as a result of overfishing and the expanded shark fishery in NSW.

"The number of sharks caught in nets - the only way to determine their numbers - is declining every year," Ms Faehrmann said.

"When shark nets were first introduced in 1937, there was something like 1500 sharks killed in the first 17 months, while the figure a few years ago was about 69."

Bendigo Bank Australian Aerial Patrol manager Harry Mitchell told the Mercury yesterday shark sightings had increased by 16 per cent between 2007 and 2008.

But he said increased shark sightings did not equate to an increase in shark numbers.

Mr Mitchell said he was confident the shark involved in yesterday's attack was a bull shark.

"The attack and environment were consistent with bull activity, particularly for this time of year, when the bull shark is at the height of its mating season," he said.