Shark-smart behaviour is one of the keys to sustainable fishing on the Great Barrier Reef with new research revealing the hidden financial cost of shark depredation.
Shark depredation - where sharks take hooked fish before they can be safely retrieved - is driven by the shark's natural instincts.
But new research from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries shows that simple changes in fishing practices can significantly reduce interactions and help fishers keep more of their catch.
Senior DPI fisheries biologist, Dr Jonathan Mitchell, led the research and said the findings show the growing scale of the problem with an estimated 37 per cent of Spanish mackerel catch lost to sharks.
"We know now that depredation is translating directly into higher costs for fishers, from lost gear to increased fuel use," Mitchell said.
"Moreover, depredation can also result in higher fish mortality and injuries to sharks, which at scale can have impacts on maintaining sustainable fish stocks across the Reef.
"Through our findings we know that there are steps that fishers can take to help mitigate the problem, and that is an area where we will continue to focus our research efforts."
- These include:
- Turn your engine and echosounder off when you arrive at your fishing spot - this reduces noise and the chance of attracting sharks
- Fish in shallower depths
- Avoid cleaning your fish and dumping the waste where you are fishing
- Use handlines and/or electric reels - this may help you get your fish in the boat faster
- Consider using a shark deterrent device.
Chris Cochrane, the Reef Authority's Director of Field Management Operations, said the findings reinforce the importance of the Reef Authority's new Fish for the Future campaign.
"The Reef is home to around 135 species of shark," Mr Cochrane said.
"When you're fishing on the Reef, you're in the shark's backyard, so it makes sense to adjust what we're doing to minimise any unwanted interactions. There's no simple fix, but a few simple, shark-smart habits, and adapting how we fish, can go a long way in helping fishers avoid sharks and hold on to their catch.
"We want everyone to enjoy their time on the water and play their part to protect the Reef."
Make sure you:
- Know where you can and can't fish
- Anchor in sand to avoid damaging coral
- Take only what you need for a feed, not to fill the esky
