- Five endangered endemic shark and ray species – whitefin swellshark, longnose skate, greeneye spurdog, grey skate and coastal stingaree – protected as “no take” in commercial and recreational fisheries in South Australian waters
- Species have been listed as Endangered on global list, but Australian Government yet to act to protect them
- Federal and NSW-managed fisheries lagging behind in protecting endangered endemic species, with greeneye spurdog still allowed to be caught and sold
The South Australian Government is leading the country in shark protection by this week banning the fishing of five endangered shark and ray species that are found only in Australian waters and amongst the most endangered in the world, the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Humane Society International Australia have said.
Australia has 13 endangered endemic sharks and rays – found only in our waters – with five now protected from targeted fishing in South Australian waters: the critically endangered whitefin swellshark and longnose skate, and the endangered greeneye spurdog, grey skate and coastal stingaree. It’s imperative that SA fishers use safe handling methods to maximise survival if they are accidentally caught.
Many of Australia’s endemic shark and ray species are little-known, and several are facing extinction because of fishing pressures, with population declines of up to 90%.
Despite the new rules in South Australia, those species are not protected beyond state waters – 5km offshore – where they are particularly vulnerable to fishing from Commonwealth-managed trawl and hook fisheries. Several species, such as the greeneye spurdog, reach as far as New South Wales where they are similarly vulnerable to state-managed fisheries.
AMCS shark scientist Dr Leonardo Guida said: “These species are unique to Australia for the same reason as many of our land animals are – they evolved in isolation over millions of years. Just as mountain ranges or deserts might separate land animals, so too do deep ocean trenches and vast basins.
“These endemic species, found only in Australia, are as unique as a koala and in just as much trouble, if not worse.
“It’s encouraging to see South Australia taking the lead to protect our threatened sharks and rays and it bodes well for the future of not just the sustainability of SA-managed fisheries but the recovery of our most unique and endangered species. Extinction in Australian waters would be a global extinction event, and cause the loss of tens of millions of years of unique shark and ray evolutionary history.”
The world’s leading endangered species agency, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has declared these species Endangered, but the Australian Government has still not declared them under our national nature laws, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. They are being assessed after HSI-Australia and AMCS nominated them for listing: the whitefin swellshark and longnose skate as Critically Endangered, and the greeneye spurdog and grey skate as Endangered.
An EPBC endangered listing would require Australian fisheries to significantly improve measures to ensure the species are on the path to recovery, such as cameras on all fishing boats to monitor catches so crucial data can be collected, identifying ‘hotspots’ where these species live so fisheries can avoid them. Commonwealth and NSW trawlers are not required to have cameras, although the Commonwealth fishery has started limited trials.
HSI Australia marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck said, “It’s great these shark and ray species are now protected in South Australia, but it’s alarming that outside the state’s waters, these species can be legally caught and sold for their meat, commonly referred to as ‘flake’ in your fish and chips. Earlier this year, DNA results found that endangered greeneye spurdog was sold as flake in a Victorian fish shop.
“We expect a decision by the Australian Government whether to declare these species endangered before March 2026, but the sooner the better. It’s crucial that the federal environment minister heeds scientific advice and recommendations in full when it comes to supporting these species to recover.”
Dr Guida added: “The Australian and New South Wales governments are now going to have to play catch up to protect these species and fix their fisheries. Sharks and rays don’t recognise any borders so it’s crucial for all jurisdictions to get on board and ensure threatened endemic species have the best chance possible at recovery.
“Looking after these threatened endemic species is looking after the rest of the ocean – sharks and rays keep the balance. Their removal in vast numbers disrupts food chains and a disrupted food chain ultimately affects the availability and price of seafood that lands on our plates.”