Shark-plan Implementation and Review Committee (SIRC)
The Shark Implementation and Review Committee (SIRC) was established in 2004 by the Natural Resource Management Marine and Coastal Committee (MACC) to oversee the implementation and review of the National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (Shark-plan).
The Shark-plan provides advice and guidance to the general public, fisheries managers, and conservation managers on actions required to ensure Australia's shark populations are managed sustainably now and into the future.
SIRC membership includes:
- one government representative from the fisheries agency in each State
- Northern Territory
- Departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (including the Bureau of Rural Sciences)
- Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
- Australian Fisheries Management Authority.
To assist with the implementation of the Shark-plan the SIRC is developing four regional operational plans. The aim of the plans is to provide a flexible approach to implementing Shark-plan actions that takes into account variations in conservation and fisheries management issues around Australia. The draft Northern Australia Operational Plan is available to view, and all four operational plans will be finalised in 2006.