Two Commercial Fishers to Face Charges over Shark Catch
Monday, 23 April 2001

Two commercial fishers have been reported following the illegal capture of a great white shark recently near Whyalla.

Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA) Fisheries Officers intercepted a dissected carcass, believed to be shark, on its way to an Adelaide fish processor, destined for the fresh seafood market, following a telephone call to FISHWATCH.

A subsequent search of two houses near Whyalla revealed set of shark jaws which were subsequently seized by fisheries compliance officers.

Fisheries officers confiscated the jaws and carcass.

The carcass and jaws have since been positively identified by scientists at SARDI Aquatic Sciences & CSIRO. Further DNA testing may be carried out to confirm the species of shark and to possibly link the jaws and carcass.

General Manager Fisheries Services, Brian Hemming said the great white shark is fully protected in all waters of Australia.

"This top order predator plays an important part in maintaining the ecological balance in our seas," Mr Hemming said.

"It is important that this endangered species has the same status that other protected species enjoy. It is therefore vital to create an effective deterrent by penalising those who simply look to profit from it's capture."

The penalty for taking a protected species of fish is a maximum fine of $8,000.