Shark tagging on the north coast is set to start this week with government experts briefing media in Ballina today on the program.
The work involves locating and tagging sharks frequenting waters close to shore, using a vessel with externally mounted satellite tracking system. Acoustic tags are surgically inserting in sharks to monitor their movements.
The research project is in response to a spate of recent shark attacks along the northern NSW coastline, including a fatality and several serious maulings.
NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair, last week announced the $250,000 for the shark monitoring and tagging campaign ahead of the spring/summer holiday season.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) shark biologist, Dr Vic Peddemors, will provide an overview this morning to media of the scientific research project set to get underway later this week.
A DPI spokesperson said film and photo images of shark tagging will be available to media once tagging is undertaken, to avoid media outlets interfering with the research vessels and researchers on the water.
In announcing the program, Mr Blair said ‘let’s not forget the ocean is the domain of the shark, however, this government is taking action to gain a better understanding of the local risks and how they can be reduced to help inform and protect the public’.
Great to hear about research being done into sharks activities close to shore, and not just knee jerk reaction culling. A more positive solution. Maybe with tagging, a mobile receiver thats senses a tagged shark coming close and sets off an alarm allowing plenty of time to get out of surf. Even a wrist watch that has a receiver in it? Research, knowledge positive, sustainable solutions where respecting the ocean and the fun we have in it can continue with win win results.
And what will shark tagging do?
They monitored sharks in WA and found a shark can travel thousands of kilometres. A tagged shark travelled about three quarters of the whole WA coastline. And the whales are doing the same thing on the eastern seaboard.