NSW protects threatened hammerheads

In response to scientific and community concerns, the NSW Government has listed the great hammerhead as vulnerable and the scalloped hammerhead as endangered under the Fisheries Management Act 1994.

"Formally recognizing that these two shark species are threatened is a significant step forward to protect some of our most vulnerable marine wildlife. We congratulate the NSW Government for taking a proactive approach to conserving these magnificent sharks, which are swimming against the tide of extinction," said Tooni Mahto, AMCS Marine Campaigns Officer.

Both species of shark are considered globally threatened, with the impacts of fishing the key threat to their survival. Both species are caught in the Ocean Trap and Line fishery that operates off the NSW coastline, as well as in recreational fisheries.

Hammerheads are valued for their fins, which can fetch high prices in both Australia and abroad.

"A single dried shark fin can fetch over $1,000 in Australia, so these animals have been targeted in fisheries in NSW and around Australia for the value of their fins alone", Miss Mahto continued.

"With this announcement the, buying, selling or possession of any products from these two species is now prohibited. The NSW Government has now set a precedent, and AMCS urges other Australian states and the territory and Federal governments to follow their lead, as hammerheads are still caught in other fisheries around our coastline."

"Sharks are critical to the health of our oceans. They are keystone species which hold the balance of our ecosystems beneath the waves. These majestic creatures are also hugely valuable to our tourism industry," concluded Miss Mahto.