First Great White Sharks Tagged in NSW Government Program
Media Release
Niall Blair
Minister for Primary Industries
Minister for Lands and Water
27. August 2015
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NOTE: Footage available below
FIRST SHARKS TAGGED ON THE NORTH COAST
Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair, has confirmed the first great white sharks have been tagged and successfully released as part of the NSW Government’s North Coast Local Waters Shark Tagging Project.
Two 2.2-metre female great white sharks have now been tagged and will be tracked by scientists, who will look at their movements over coming months to gain a better understanding of behaviour patterns.
“This program will provide vital information about sharks and their movements on the North Coast – the more information we have, the better equipped we are to implement measures to reduce the risk of further attacks,” Mr Blair said.
“We are determined to make our beaches safer that’s why we are investing $250,000 in a suite of measures, including this crucial research program, a review of new technologies and a targeted awareness campaign.”
Researchers from the Department of Primary Industries and CSIRO will continue the tagging program in coming days if weather conditions are favourable.
In addition to the tagging program, DPI fisheries vessels have been deployed to conduct on-water surveillance and the NSW Government will shortly be launching a comprehensive public education campaign, in partnership with Surf Lifesaving NSW.
The NSW Government will also fast-track applications for the lookout towers funding from the Towers Grant Program and is maintaining strong linkages with the Ballina Shire Shark Mitigation Advisory Group.
In addition to this, the outcomes of an independent review into available shark deterrent technology are expected late next month and will inform any future trials to be conducted in NSW waters, including on the North Coast.
Footage of the tagging program: Ballina tagged shark_release
Source: NSW Government