Shark numbers decline by up to 90% in five decades off Queensland coast
Source: The Guardian
Shark numbers decline by up to 90% in five decades off Queensland coast
Researchers conclude the most likely cause for the dramatic declines is commercial fishing
Lisa Cox
Thu 13 Dec 2018 17.00 GMT
Shark numbers along the Queensland coast have declined by more than 90% for some species in the past five decades, according to new research that calls for better protections for sharks in Australian waters.
University of Queensland and Griffith University researchers analysed shark control program data to measure changes in shark populations along the Queensland coastline in a 55 year period.
The shark control program has used drumlines and nets since 1962 to try to reduce the risk of shark attacks, and now spans 1760km of the Queensland coastline.
The scientists studied the number of hammerhead, white, tiger and whaler sharks caught in nets from 1962 to 2016.
The data showed the number of hammerheads and white sharks had each declined by 92%, whaler sharks by 82% and tiger sharks by 74%.
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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/dec/14/queensland-shark-numbers-down-by-90-per-cent-in-55-years-for-some-species