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Australian government seeks to opt out of shark protection

Australian government seeks to opt out of shark protection

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Australian government is submitting a “reservation” against three species of thresher shark and two species of hammerhead shark listed as protected migratory species under UN convention

Dwarf sawfish, Pristis clavata

The five types of shark were among 21 species of shark and ray, including sawfish, granted new protection status at a convention summit in November.

Although Australia did not object to the listings in November, it is now seeking to opt out of the commitment to cooperate with other countries to ensure the five migratory shark species do not become extinct. The expanded list is due to come into effect on 8 February.

A spokesman for the federal environment minister, Greg Hunt, said the government’s move was to avoid “unintended consequences” for fishers in Australia, who would risk being fined up to $170,000 and face two years in jail even if they obeyed their permits.

“There are still strong measures in place to protect thresher and hammerhead sharks in Australia and these will continue,” he said. “The Australian government will continue to actively participate in shark conservation under the convention as a signatory of the memorandum of understanding on the conservation of migratory sharks, and through $4.6m funding for shark research and conservation activities. We are fully committed to meeting our obligations under the convention, as well as protecting the rights of recreational fishers.”

However, neither the hammerhead nor thresher species are listed as threatened under Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

While the five species will not be covered by the international convention nor Australian federal protection, Hunt said: “This does not negate our support for international action related to these species, or for shark conservation more broadly.”

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