SHARK DRUM
LINE PROGRAM
230. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the
Minister for Fisheries:
(1) To the
minister's knowledge, how many dusky sharks have been caught on the
drum lines to date?
(2) Please
give the sizes, dates and locations of all dusky sharks captured on the drum
lines to date, as well as details of the animals' release or death.
(3) How does
the minister explain the reported capture of blacktip sharks on drum lines in
the south west given the Department of Fisheries' ''Field identification guide to Sharks and
Shark-like Rays'' states that the natural range of both
blacktip and blacktip reef sharks is Shark Bay northwards?
(4) What
degree of confidence does the minister place in the south west contractor's
ability to correctly identify the species of the sharks he captures?
Hon
KEN BASTON replied:
(1) One.
(2) A 2.9-metre
dusky shark was caught at 7.45 am on 10 March 2014 at Floreat Beach and
released alive.
(3) One blacktip
shark was reported as caught on 6 February 2014. Blacktip is the common name;
the more appropriate description of the shark is a spinner shark.
(4) The south
west contractor uses the Department of Fisheries' field guide and, in
addition, the identification of the shark is later verified by Department of
Fisheries' officers.