Newsletter

Our meeting will be held at the Conservation Centre, 120 Wakefield Street, Adelaide on Wednesday 17^th September commencing at 7.30pm.

Our speaker will be Andrew Dalgetty who will be discussing PIRSA community awareness programmes, Fishcare Volunteers, printed material, the Internet, Fishwatch telephone service, media releases and other topics.

Shallow Thoughts

NSW Grey Nurse Shark Recovery Plan

Ewens Ponds

This month our authors are David Muirhead, Steve Reynolds and Neville Skinner.

We welcome Neville Skinner to our ranks. He joined at the July meeting and I have included in this Newsletter a report he presented at that meeting regarding the state of the creek from Ewens Ponds to the sea.

Some of my better piccies were taken in very shallow water of depths of a metre or less. This particularly applies to wide-angle shots, something I haven’t really got into in a big way, my excuse being I’ve never had a decent wide angle lens.

Most ‘in-your-face’ dive magazine cover shots are unashamedly wide-angle, such images seem to dominate underwater photo competitions and I have to concede that these wide-angle shots with the maximum appeal incorporate a snorkeller (see below - 2002 MLSSA Calendar, September, small picture of Jenny Muirhead in Ewens Ponds - Ed), swimmer or boat on the surface, backlit by the sun. Or, best of all, due to their ability to engage land-lubbers, are shots which ‘split’ the surface, showing mangrove trees with leaves above and roots below the surface, jetties bisected at water level, and so forth.

The only wide-angle lens I've ever used is a Nikonos 20mm lens, which I’ve had on ‘Indefinite loan’ from Terry Drew for the last few years! It contains a trace of moisture from a long-ago flooding episode (via a Nikonos 5 backplate) which means it won’t give sharp focus at infinity even with good viz, but it still focuses from minimum distance well out to mid-range.

I shouldn't complain then when these more distant pylons on ‘under-jetty’ shots are fuzzy despite good water clarity, but one of these days I'm going to get a 15mm lens and then I won’t have any excuses - provided, that is, that I team it with the right strobe.

A point worth mentioning is that my old Nikonos II body although an incredibly reliable and wondrously simple camera (I bought this my first camera new in Singapore in 1971!) does have a major limitation in that the shutter will only synchronise with flash at speeds at or below 1/60 second.

This can lead to problems of ‘double exposure’ (images tend to have fuzzy edges or a second fainter slightly displaced outline, like a halo) if using a strobe in good ambient light conditions - such as sunlit shallow water, the subject of this article.

One can get around this by using natural light exposure with no ‘fill-in’ flash, or, if using flash by holding the camera very still and targeting only motionless subjects. But I find in practice its best to rely on natural light and this has the added advantage of allowing one to carry the little Nikonos camera unencumbered by bulky strobe gear.

You still need to hold the camera as still as possible but if it’s really shallow and a bright sunny day this becomes less critical because one can increase the shutter speed to say 1:125 or even 1:250 without sacrificing too much depth of field. One of the best things about wide-angle lenses is exactly this: they have such a great focal depth to play around with that even if one opens the aperture wide to accommodate low ambient light it’s still possible to retain sufficient focal depth to give reasonable outcomes using only natural light for the exposure.

Well, all good theory! In practice I’ve got a long way to go - but I’m convinced that South Australia has a lot to offer the wide angle photographer, and I haven’t even mentioned Digital!

(Pamphlet titled "Protecting the Grey Nurse Shark – A Guide For Fishers And Divers".)

Reports about a recovery plan for Grey Nurse Sharks in New South Wales have been coming through to us via David Turner from the SCUBA Divers Federation of SA. David has been getting the information from John Olsen, President of the Scuba Clubs Association of NSW (SCAN).

In mid-2002 we received a joint request from groups such as the Humane Society International, Australian Marine Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund Australia, Nature Conservation Council of NSW and National parks Association of NSW. They asked us to help lobby for the protection of Grey Nurse Sharks. So in June last year we sent a letter to the NSW Fisheries Threatened Species Unit (Grey Nurse Shark). In our letter we said:-

"In order to give proper protection to the critically endangered Grey Nurse Shark we suggest the following is required:-

• Establish a minimum 1000m no-take sanctuary zone around each of the 13 identified critical habitat areas to reduce incidences of accidental hooking and to protect the food resources of the sharks.

• Provide dedicated funding for comprehensive research investigating various aspects of the sharks’ recovery, threats and behaviour.

• Research and develop alternatives to the NSW Shark Control Program, including public education and awareness."

The Scuba Divers Federation of SA sent a similar letter to NSW Fisheries.

Late in 2002 John reported the following:-

"On Thursday 19th September I attended the "Save the Grey Nurse Shark" meeting. It was a free documentary launch & screening of "Save the Grey Nurse". It was held at the parliamentary Theatrette at NSW’s Parliament House in Macquarie Street, Sydney. Conservationist Dr Tim Anderson, shark expert Valerie Taylor and Greens MLC Ian Cohen were all in attendance for the first public screening and launch of this short documentary about the critically endangered grey nurse shark. The grey nurse shark is estimated to number less than 300 off the east coast of Australia and, despite its status as NSW's most critically endangered fish species, these numbers still appear to be declining. The NSW Government was about to finalise the recovery plan for the shark. The plan, as a minimum, needed to fully protect the critical habitat areas from the impacts of recreational and commercial fishing. Fully protected, no-take sanctuaries were required at the critical habitat areas to give this harmless species a chance at survival."

John later reported the following: -

"The turn up was not that impressive given many divers seem to make a big deal about diving with Grey Nurse Sharks. A talk by Val Taylor was good value. One point she made which has been missed (well by me anyway) in much of the GNS discussions is that NSW is the principal habitat for this species. The numbers of them in Queensland and Victoria are small, with SA seeing a few. So if the NSW population is in a bad way, which it of course is, then we are looking at a very serious problem."

John encouraged us to send a letter to Bob Carr, the Premier of NSW so on 6^th October our Society sent the following letter to Premier Carr: -

"Dear Premier,

On the 10^th of May 2002, the NSW Government released a plan that was supposed to outline efforts to save the Grey Nurse Shark; a species so critically endangered that it was put on an international conservation "Red List".

Years of research involving environmental groups, scientific experts and volunteer divers have uncovered the disturbing truth about the shark’s sad condition. It numbers less than 300 along the NSW coast. The NSW coast is also the main area where these sharks are found. The greatest threat to its survival is fishing and specifically recreational fishing; and around 70 percent of all sharks sighted off one point on the coast display injuries consistent with fishing impact. The conclusion was that the shark’s best chance of survival is to exclude all forms of fishing i.e. commercial and recreational (fishing) in its critical habitat areas.

However, the Government has delivered a draft plan of management that offers little in the way of conservation measures, and fails to, in any sense, adequately protect the Grey Nurse Shark and its critical habitat areas.

I call on your Government to deliver the following as the first steps in protecting and recovering the critically endangered Grey Nurse Shark:

1. Establish a minimum 1000m no take sanctuary zone around each of the thirteen identified Grey Nurse Shark critical habitat areas to reduce incidences of accidental hooking and to protect the food resources of the sharks.

2. Provide dedicated funding for comprehensive Grey Nurse Shark research over the next 5 years ($2million/year); and

3. Research and develop alternatives to shark nets on public beaches.

Yours sincerely,

Steve Reynolds, Secretary

Marine Life Society of SA"

We soon received a reply from Roger Wilkins, Director-General, The Cabinet Office, NSW. He said that our concerns had been passed on to EM (Eddie) Obeid, the Minister for Fisheries.

We also received a letter from Steve Dunn, Director of NSW Fisheries, late in October giving details about "New measures to protect grey nurse shark and black cod". In his letter, Steve told us that his Department was implementing a range of new measures to assist in the recovery of Grey Nurse Sharks.

He said that "These measures include the establishment of ten grey nurse shark critical habitat sites." "Regulations within the grey nurse shark critical habitat and buffer zones will assist in the recovery of the species by protecting the sharks from harmful activity. As a consequence, new regulations will come into force on 1 December 2002."

So, it appears, at this stage, that just ten of the 13 identified Grey Nurse Shark critical habitat areas have been made sanctuaries. However, Steve enclosed two new guides (pamphlets) with his letter. The pamphlets are titled "Protecting the Grey Nurse Shark – A Guide For Fishers And Divers" and "Protecting the Black Cod – A Guide For Fishers And Divers". The shark pamphlet give details of the ten sanctuaries but one of the sanctuaries covers two locations – Big Seal Rocks and Little Seal Rocks. Then there is mention of two additional Grey Nurse Shark critical habitats. These are both North & South Solitary Islands. These are important GNS habitats and they are part of the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Grey Nurse Sharks are protected under the park’s comprehensive zoning plan.

According to the shark pamphlet, critical habitats are 200m out from the relevant natural feature, with an additional 800m buffer zone. So, it appears that the 1000m no-take sanctuary zone suggested by ourselves has been adopted.

Late in November Eddie Obeid sent us a letter. He said that his Government shared our concerns and went on to say that as an endangered species, grey nurse sharks cannot be taken by commercial or recreational fishers. A penalty of up to $220,000 applies for anyone buying, selling, possessing or harming a grey nurse shark. His Government had received a clear message from the community that grey nurse sharks needed further protection. As Minister for Fisheries he had designated 10 special areas as grey nurse shark critical habitats.

John Olsen told us that same month that the ten sites named as grey nurse shark critical habitats were: -

* MAGIC POINT (Maroubra)
* JULIAN ROCKS (near Byron Bay)
* GREEN ISLAND (Kempsey)
* FISH ROCK (near South West Rocks)
* THE PINNACLE (near Forster)
* BIG & LITTLE SEAL ROCKS (near Port Stephens)
* LITTLE BROUGHTON ISLAND (ditto)
* BASS POINT (near Shellharbour)
* TOLLGATE ISLANDS (Batemans Bay)
* MONTAGUE ISLAND (near Narooma)

Eddie Obeid had told us in his letter to us that marine scientists had identified these sites as being the key locations where grey nurse sharks gather, feed and breed. He said that "Within these critical habitats, new fishing and diving restrictions will apply from 1 December (2002)" and that "fishing methods harmful to grey nurse sharks will also not be allowed in grey nurse shark critical habitats."

He went on to say that "Commercial set line fishing – the deadliest fishing method affecting the sharks – will be completely banned, as will fishing with a wire trace or bait from any vessel anchored. Rock and beach fishing with wire trace will also be prohibited. Each critical habitat site extends 200 metres from a relevant island or coast line and will be surrounded by a protective buffer zone of a further 800 metres. A wider range of fishing activities will be permitted in this buffer zone, although commercial set line fishing, and recreational use of wire trace when anchored will be banned. There will also be controls on scuba diving within the critical habitat areas, including bans on night diving, feeding, touching or chasing sharks, and bans on using electronic shark repelling devices and electric scooters."

He said that he was pleased to say "these new measures will also save another threatened species, the black cod, which is also at risk of extinction." He enclosed with his letter the guides to the new fishing and diving rules for grey nurse shark and on protecting the black cod, saying that "These guides include useful information on how to identify both species and what you can do to help save them."

We now have a few of these pamphlets (titled "Protecting the Grey Nurse Shark – A Guide For Fishers And Divers" and "Protecting the Black Cod – A Guide For Fishers And Divers") and they are available for loan from our library. The pamphlet helps with the identification of Grey Nurse Sharks, answers four typical questions about them, outlines the new rules for fishing and diving, details the relevant penalties and shows the maps of the ten sanctuaries.

John Olsen later reported the following: -

"Well folks, it looks like some small attempt has been made to provide a bit of protection to our diving buddies the OLD GNS!

One would like to think that the efforts of SCAN members had a net positive effect in this proposal getting up! So pat yourselves on the back. The old adage applies once again. Get active and get involved! SCAN does have some relevance in the scheme of things!

In terms of modifying our diving practices, not too much apart from no night diving. In fact you will note that the restrictions pretty much are ones which got consensus support in Nick Otway’s GNS diving code of conduct!

Remember that doc we commented on? Unfortunately these so-called sanctuaries do allow fishing to continue provided no wire trace is used. So what crystal ball are the fishing inspectors going to use to check up on the recreational fishermen whose god given right is to fish anywhere any time for anything. So next time you go diving at Magic Point, Tollgate Islands, or Montague Island, etc watch out for those fisheries inspector boats checking up no traces are being used.

The real problem is that the term ‘Sanctuary’ was used in the official Media Release which has well and truly bastardised the term now, because this term (Sanctuary) correctly means a no take zone! Well done! If you wish to view the full data set go to:

So, where to now? There is arguably still one premier site where GNS populations are large and not protected at present. That site is of course the cod grounds near Port Macquarie. This dive site is in Commonwealth waters, so we need to write to Environment Australia. I have heard a whisper that they are currently looking at declaring this site so I will advise who to write to because those of us who have dived her know just how stunning a site it is."

John followed this up in January with the following in an email:-

"In the not too distant future Environment Australia will be issuing a draft paper re GNS protection options for a place called "the cod grounds" near Laurieton (NSW). This is a particularly important aggregation site. Typically the recreational fishing lobby will be opposed to it! As the site is in Commonwealth waters, i.e. past 4 mile state limit, it sort of does make it an "Ocean" spot, not a coastal spot. When the time comes it would be appreciated if SA Divers could send off a letter. Usually scuba diving can be done in Sanctuary zones, so we are not facing a total lock out."

At this point I want to reiterate what John has suggested above – that good, hard lobbying for a cause pays dividends.

At our January meeting I showed a short video that John had sent us about the Grey Nurse Shark. By the time that you read this we should have our own copy of the video which will be available for loan from our library.

The national newsletter of the Threatened Species Network, The Web, for Spring 2002 had a little report from Queensland about Grey Nurse Sharks. It said that the shark "is often sighted by scuba divers around the Moreton Bay area, with Shark Gully a favourite habitat for the shark. This placid shark was once found all along the east coast of Australia, but its population has declined dramatically, resulting in it being declared ‘critically endangered’ under federal legislation. UniDive (the University of Queensland Underwater Club Inc.) will map critical habitat providing valuable information to assist the development of the recovery plan."

My thanks to David Turner, Development Officer for the Scuba Divers Federation of SA, John Olsen, President of the Scuba Clubs Association of NSW and the Douts Dive Club (NSW) for this information.

FURTHER READING:

Kate Davey, the National Coordinator of the Australian Marine Conservation Society wrote an article about the sharks in the Winter 2002 edition (Vol.3, No.1) of AMCS’s "Turning The Tide".

On 4^th December 2002 the Courier Mail included an article in which a leading scientist was calling for a ban on shark mesh. The scientist was Dr Rob Harcourt, Marine Science Director at Macquarie University. He said that shark mesh was killing endangered animals such as the Grey Nurse Shark.

On Sunday 13th July 2003, I snorkeled from Ewens Ponds to the sea with a fellow diver, Mr Daniel Habib. The creek was absolutely beautiful, that is, until we reached the point where a massive stormwater drain has been directed straight into the creek, about half way down. At the time we were snorkelling down the creek it had been raining, and the resultant stormwater that was running from this drain was white from the gravel it was carrying, reducing visibility to about one metre, down from the previous 50-100 metres visibility.

At the point where the drain meets the creek, the damage is obvious, with the creek bed rising about 30cm from a thick deposit of gravel. And add to this impact, the thick layer of dark green algae that was floating on the surface at the drain exit, from the nutrients that are now being discharged into Eight Mile Creek. From then on, all the way to the sea, the complete creek bed, along with the grasses that inhabit the creek, were smothered by this fine gravel. The creek was virtually lifeless from that point on.

I found this both shocking and devastating, as up to that point I had not seen such beauty in a creekbed.

I appeal to the authorities to take the time to drive down the side road that goes from Ewens Ponds to the sea, alongside that creek. Half-way down there is what appears to be a small bridge, adjacent to some fresh earthworks leading from an irrigation pump with its 12-15" intake inside Eight Mile Creek, that I assume has been recently installed. (Fortunately, the pump itself does not appear to have caused any impact on the creek.)

Stop here and walk to the edge of the creek, which is not fenced off at this point. I am sure you will be shocked at what you see - the problem is most evident from the bank of the creek at this point - the ‘before’ to the right, and the ‘after’ to the left.

As I traversed that part of the creek where the water had been fouled from the nutrient enriched stormwater discharge, it also bothered me to think that this creek must surely be an important life-line for marine life to pass between the Ponds and the sea.

This has occurred to one of this states most outstanding natural resources, with Ewens Ponds already having been designated a Conservation Park, for some years. Many swimmers and divers travel to Mount Gambier each year to snorkel down Eight Mile Creek from the Ponds to the sea. This must surely beg the question, how can this have been allowed to happen to this creek?