The biology and conservation status of the grey nurse shark (
            <i>Carcharias taurus</i>
            Rafinesque 1810) in New South Wales, Australia

Pollard, D.; Smith, M. P. L.; Smith, Adam K.

doi:10.1002/(sici)1099-0755(199603)6:1<1::aid-aqc177>3.0.co;2-#

Cited by 54 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…More passive, observational diving interactions could be driven by the influence of the media, peer groups and increased education (e.g. Pollard et al 1996). However, the emergence of different recreational diving interests may also be due to changes in legislation.…”

Section: Changes In Diver Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Analysis of Byron's 'The History of Spearfishing and Scuba Diving in Australia' (1998) reveals identical changes in recreational diver attitudes towards sharks and rays (see Accessory Publication 2). Pollard et al (1996) described how attitudes towards the grey nurse shark (Carcharius taurus) in NSW changed over time. In the 1960s, spearfishers contributed to the shark's decline, but by 1984 they were actively contributing to the protection of the species.…”

Section: Changes In Diver Attitudesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many drivers for humaninduced shark and ray population declines exist, but one not frequently discussed is the effect of attitudes held towards this species group. Evidence suggests that in the past, sharks were often perceived as dangerous and had a reputation for being 'monsters' due to their fierce appearance (Pollard et al 1996;Dobson 2006;Ferguson 2006), evoking strongly negative, utilitarian and moralistic public attitudes (Thompson and Mintzes 2002). Negative attitudes towards perceived 'dangerous' wildlife have been shown to affect the status of species populations and effectiveness of conservation efforts (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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From hunters to nature observers: a record of 53 years of diver attitudes towards sharks and rays and marine protected areas

Whatmough

Putten

Chin

2011

Mar. Freshwater Res.

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Abstract. Human values, perceptions, attitudes and interactions with the natural environment have been found to change over time, with social and economic information used to inform management decisions and actions. Content analysis is applied here to a 53-year long collection of the popular dive magazine, SportDiving, to identify recreational divers' experiences with regard to sharks and rays, the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and marine protected areas (MPAs). This analysis suggests there has been a diversification of diver activities with the emergence of passive-observational activities such as SCUBA diving. Attitudes towards sharks and rays have changed significantly, with recreational divers changing from a group that could be described as adventure-seeking hunters to a group that can be described as nature-appreciating observers, suggesting an increase in conservation awareness. The GBR continues to be a highly regarded dive destination, with divers perceiving positive effects of protection within MPAs. However, declines in the abundance of large fish and sharks and rays were occasionally reported throughout the 53 year period. Collectively, these types of data can show changes in resource-use patterns, perceptions and attitudes and provide information that supplements scientific monitoring data. These data may be valuable where scientific data is scarce, historical records difficult to obtain, and where attitudinal change can significantly affect future resource use.

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Section: Changes In Diver Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Changes In Diver Attitudesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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From hunters to nature observers: a record of 53 years of diver attitudes towards sharks and rays and marine protected areas

Whatmough

Putten

Chin

2011

Mar. Freshwater Res.

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“…Grey nurse sharks are regularly seen by divers in a relatively small number of areas along the NSW coast and in southern Queensland, usually in or near deep, sandybottomed gutters or caves around rocky reefs or islands fairly close to shore. Despite their fierce appearance, grey nurse sharks are not considered dangerous and generally pose no threat to divers or swimmers unless provoked (Pollard et al 1996).…”

Section: Background Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the late 1970s and early 1980s a number of underwater film makers, scuba divers and spearfishers began calling for protection of the shark. Following consultation with peak recreational fishing, commercial fishing and scuba diving groups, the species was totally protected from being captured and killed in November 1984 (Pollard et al 1996). The rivers to the sea…”

Section: Management Activities Prior To Listing In Nswmentioning

confidence: 99%

The rivers to the sea: experiences with two endangered aquatic fish species

Talbot¹,

Molloy²,

Chapman³

et al. 2004

Threatened Species Legislation

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There are currently 20 species, populations or communities of fish, aquatic invertebrates and marine vegetation listed on the threatened species schedules of the NSW Fisheries Management Act 1994. Two of these species are the eastern freshwater cod Maccullochella ikei, and the grey nurse shark Carcharias taurus. In the 1970s, well over a decade prior to their listing as threatened, there were concerns over the population status of both fish, and various actions were initiated to help preserve and maintain stocks. For example, both species were totally protected from fishing in 1984, captive breeding techniques for eastern cod were investigated and underwater surveys of grey nurse shark populations commenced. Following listing, however, there has been a significant increase in emphasis on actions to help the recovery of both species, protect their habitat and increase knowledge of their biology and distribution. In the case of eastern cod, these actions have included surveys to document the distribution of remnant and stocked populations, tagging studies, genetic and ecological research, habitat restoration works and significant input into water sharing rules for relevant catchments. For grey nurse sharks, critical habitat areas have been declared at key aggregation sites, controls placed on fishing in and around these areas, additional diver surveys completed, tagging and tracking studies commenced to provide detailed information on movements and improved population estimates, and samples collected for genetic research. The changes in management strategies resulting from the listing of these threatened species in NSW may also have flow-on benefits for other aquatic species.

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Tourism and Resource Management

Mercer¹

2004

A Companion to Tourism

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The biology and conservation status of the grey nurse shark ( Carcharias taurus Rafinesque 1810) in New South Wales, Australia

Cited by 54 publications

References 7 publications

From hunters to nature observers: a record of 53 years of diver attitudes towards sharks and rays and marine protected areas

From hunters to nature observers: a record of 53 years of diver attitudes towards sharks and rays and marine protected areas

The rivers to the sea: experiences with two endangered aquatic fish species

Tourism and Resource Management

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