NT Offshore Net & Line Licensee Committee

15 July 2011

Department of Agriculture Forrest and Fisheries

Re Submission on Shark plan 2

The following comments are made on behalf of the ON&LF.

After reviewing the content of Shark Plan 2 a number of features of the plan give me concern.

Sharks under the plan are to be conserved and used in a long-term sustainable manner. If all aspects of the plan are followed it is unlikely that we would have any shark fisheries.

To carry out the plan in its current form would require an army of scientists with an unlimited budget – risk assessments for all species, reduce the impact of environmental degradation on sharks, more information on the impact on sharks of sound waves and electromagnetic fields in the marine environment to name a few points.

The plan talks about additional observer coverage and further tightening of management. Australia has the best managed shark fisheries in the world. Fishers do not see the need for additional observer coverage or further restrictions as the plan suggests.

The plan appears to be written by people with little experience in the day to day management of shark fisheries and broadly speaking the plan presents a utopian wish list of management and science far removed from reality.

We look forward to seeing Shark Plan 2 presented in a manner that will actually allow for sensible shark conservation and sustainable shark fishing. 

Sincerely

Rob Lowden
Chairman - NT Offshore Net & Line Licensee Committee