Petition: Oppose new shark fishing in the Great Barrier Reef
Editor's Note: We ask that you kindly sign this petition and help protect our sharks from fisheries!
We are shocked that the Queensland, Australia Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) is creating a dedicated shark fishery at a time when shark populations worldwide face unprecedented fishing pressure and many have been drastically reduced.
Although the DPI&F’s measures intend to bring sustainability to shark fishing, they appear to be driven by short-term financial gain. Instead, the establishment of shark fisheries will deplete shark populations and produce negative impacts to the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. Short term economic interest of a small number of fishermen should not be placed above one of Australia's – and the world's - most precious resources: sharks and the Great Barrier Reef.
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We strongly oppose: |
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Licensed shark fishing in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The Great Barrier Reef is a delicate ecosystem and one of the world’s most important marine protected areas. Shark fishing should be off-limits within the entire Great Barrier Reef area because sharks are critical to a healthy reef ecosystem.
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Creation of a dedicated shark fishing industry. There is no reason to believe that establishing new licenses for shark fishing will result in improved sustainability in the absence of meaningful restrictions.
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A non-enforceable catch 'trigger' of 700 tons of sharks. The 700 tons 'trigger' matches the current level of catch, does not reflect scientifically determined levels of sustainability, and is not a true 'ceiling'. Reaching the catch trigger will not stop further shark fishing, but merely triggers a 'review'. Serious restrictions are warranted, such as a firm catch limit and enforcement.
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Fishing for threatened or endangered shark species. Only 4 species are protected by this proposal while 28 Australian shark species are listed by the IUCN's Red List or Australia's EPBC as endangered or threatened. To allow fishing of 24 species that are nearing extinction is by definition unsustainable and irresponsible....
