The state of South Australia has banned fishing of several endangered or critically endangered sharks and rays in its waters.
In a media release dated Dec. 11, the state government said the new rules prohibit both recreational and commercial fishing of critically endangered species such as the whitefin swellshark (Cephaloscyllium albipinnum), oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus), gray nurse shark (Carcharias taurus) and green sawfish (Pristis zijsron); as well as endangered ones like the greeneye spurdog (Squalus chloroculus), southern dogfish (Centrophorus uyato) and basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus). Additionally, fishing of all stingarees in the genus Urolophus and skates in the genera Dipturus and Dentiraja are banned.
Five of these species — the whitefin swellshark, greeneye spurdog, longnose skate (Dentiraja confusa), gray skate (Dipturus canutus) and coastal stingaree (Urolophus orarius) — are only found in Australian waters, according to the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) and Humane Society International (HSI) Australia.
“These endemic species … are as unique as a koala and in just as much trouble, if not worse,” Leonardo Guida, shark scientist at AMCS, said in a statement. “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.”
The new rules, in effect from Dec. 16, also specify gear restrictions, catch limits for various other shark and ray species, and prohibit “the intentional damage and mutilation of non-noxious aquatic resources that aren’t being retained.” Violators can be fined up to A$20,000 (about $12,500).
The new rules follow campaigning from conservation groups, researchers, scuba divers and snorkelers to increase the level of protection for all 77 species of sharks and rays found in South Australian waters, according to a blogpost by Flinders University.
The government also said the new rules were in response to various instances of mistreatment, including “deliberate mutilation” of sharks and rays caught throughout the state.
“We have heard the concerns raised by stakeholders and the broader community about the risk of unsustainable fishing practices and mishandling of incidentally caught sharks and rays and these legislative amendments will ensure greater protections are place,” state legislator Clare Scriven said in the release.
The new rules, however, only protect the species within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of the coast.
“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,” Lawrence Chlebeck, marine biologist at HSI Australia, said in a statement. “We expect a decision by the Australian Government whether to declare these species endangered before March 2026, but the sooner the better.”
This article by Shreya Dasgupta was first published by Mongabay.com on 2 January 2025. Lead Image: Oceanic white tip shark with a rusty fish hook in its mouth, by Alexander Vasenin via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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