Turning the Tide Newsletter – Summer 2024
Endemic Sharks Report
Many of Australia’s endemic sharks and rays are facing extinction with population declines of up to 90%, because of fishing pressures.
These species are as unique as the koala and in just as much trouble.
Australia’s largest fishery, the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF), is driving 10 of Australia’s 13 threatened endemic species to extinction – the whitefin swellshark, longnose skate, greeneye spurdog, eastern angelshark, grey skate, coastal stingaree, yellowback stingaree, greenback stingaree, Melbourne skate and Sydney skate.
A new report commissioned by the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Humane Society International (HSI) Australia has identified critical habitats for protection that could ensure their survival. The report will inform the Australian government how its largest fishery can fish sustainably and save our uniquely Aussie sharks and rays.
Quick Fact
The bright-yellow-and-whitespeckled eastern angelshark easily conceals itself buried in the sand for days before it ambushes prey that swims above.
Stop The Silent Extinction
Without drastic action, uniquely Australian species could disappear before we even get a chance to know them. We must act now and urge the Australian government to overhaul our most destructive fisheries.