Playmates for Sydney’s resident wobbegong sharks

by NSW Dept Primary Industries on 24 Jan 2010 Another ten wobbegong shark pups were released in Sydney waters on Friday 22nd January, as part of an Australian first study to unlock the secret life of the iconic shark species, NSW Primary Industries Minister, Steve Whan, said.

The wobbegong shark pups were released into the sea at Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve at Shelly Beach, near Manly, as part of a collaborative research project with Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW.

This is in addition to the ten Wobbegong shark pups released at the same location in 2008.

'Wobbegong sharks are considered an iconic species yet little is known about their movements and use of different habitat types,' Minister Whan said.

'The wobbegong shark pups were born at the Sydney Aquarium as part of this Australian first study which researches the movements of wobbegong sharks within an aquatic reserve, ensuring future reserves are designed with these charismatic species in mind.

'The research is also exploring the use of captive-bred sharks that can help replenish wild populations that may be depleted through fishing.

'These captive-born wobbegong sharks will be tagged, so researchers and scientists will be able to monitor how the introduced sharks interact with the local species.

'Underwater acoustic receivers placed around the reserve will pick up the movement of the wobbegongs and provide a greater insight into this species, where they go and how they live.'

I&I NSW research scientist Dr Vic Peddemors said a number of wild local wobbegong sharks at the aquatic reserve have also been tagged with acoustic tags and their movements tracked to understand their normal way of life.

'The project provides a fascinating insight and gives scientists more information to better understand these animals and the important role they play in our ecosystem,' Dr Peddemors said.

'Successful re-introduction into the wild is critical to allowing captive breeding programs to contribute to the conservation of species, particularly of marine predators like the wobbegong shark.

'Through conducting this study at a popular dive site such as off Shelly Beach, Manly, the project will heighten public awareness of conservation research and the role of wobbegong sharks in the environment.'

The research has been supported by Industry & Investment NSW, NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, Sydney Aquarium Conservation Fund, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Australian Acoustic Tagging and Monitoring System (part of the Integrated Marine Observing System), Defence Maritime Services, and Macquarie University.