Shark fisheries

Extract from Hansard
[COUNCIL — Wednesday, 23 March 2011]
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Hon Lynn MacLaren; Hon Norman Moore

SHARK FISHERIES — CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY SPECIES OF WILD ANIMALS

Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister for Fisheries:

(1) Is the minister aware that Australia has become the fourteenth signatory to the memorandum of
understanding on the conservation of migratory sharks under the Convention on the Conservation of
Migratory Species of Wild Animals?

(2) How will this MOU impact on Western Australia’s shark fisheries?

(3) Is the minister aware that migratory sharks are inherently vulnerable to a number of threats, particularly
fishing activities and trade?

Hon NORMAN MOORE replied:

I thank the member for the question.

(1) No.

(2) I will have to take that on notice.

(3) Not applicable.

Extract from Hansard
[COUNCIL — Thursday, 24 March 2011]
p2006c-2006c
Hon Norman Moore

SHARK FISHERIES — CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF
MIGRATORY SPECIES OF WILD ANIMALS

Question without Notice 184 — Statement by Minister for Fisheries

HON NORMAN MOORE (Mining and Pastoral — Minister for Fisheries) [10.03 am]: Yesterday Hon Lynn
MacLaren asked me a question without notice regarding the shark fisheries. In response to the question, I
provide the following information. I am advised that Australia became a signatory to the memorandum of
understanding on the conservation of migratory sharks under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory
Species of Wild Animals—the sharks MOU—on 4 February 2011. By becoming a signatory to the sharks MOU,
Australia will work closely with other signatories to share information on shark species that may be vital to their
worldwide conservation. Currently, six of the seven species covered by the sharks MOU exist in Australian
waters. These are white sharks, whale sharks, basking sharks, porbeagles, short-fin makos and long-fin makos.
Management arrangements currently in place for the six species will not change in Western Australia following
Australia’s signing of the sharks MOU. White sharks, whale sharks and basking sharks will remain totally
protected in Australian waters. Similarly, the existing arrangements for porbeagles, short-fin makos and long-fin
makos, which can be taken in a number of fisheries, both commercially and recreationally, will remain
unchanged. The Western Australian government supports the listing of these species and has in place appropriate
management arrangements that take into account the level of protection required for these species. There is
minimal interaction with these species in Western Australian waters as most of these species are taken in deeper
oceanic waters.

Consideration of the statement made an order of the day for the next sitting, on motion by Hon Ed Dermer.