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Sharks and Rays |
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Australia is home to more than 300 species of sharks and rays (the Elasmobranchs). Virtually all of our shark species pose no threat to humans at all, yet we indiscriminately kill millions of them every year.
Elasmobranchs are now in serious decline around the world.
Already, several Australian species are listed as threatened and many others are of conservation concern. |
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Commercial and recreational fishing are by far their greatest known killers.
Global concern over shark conservation has prompted countries belonging to the United Nations to develop an international plan of action for the conservation and management of sharks. As a participating country, Australia has developed our own National Plan of Action to conserve and manage sharks. Despite this, Australian fisheries still kill hundreds of thousands of sharks each year.
Despite overwhelming public opposition, the Australian Government currently continues to endorse dedicated shark fisheries in the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef Area. |
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Sea FactsDugongs are the only fully plant eating marine mammal, and the only sea cow to live in Australia
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Shop for the Seas
| See our great new range of greeting cards, t-shirts, marine prints and more. Give a gift that counts. Visit our online shop today. |
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