Published Thursday, 20 December, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Wolf Rock dive boat mooring to protect grey nurse sharks
A dive boat mooring has been installed at Wolf Rock in the Great Sandy Marine Park to help protect the endangered grey nurse shark and its habitat.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Andrew McNamara said a mooring installed at Wolf Rock recently would be trialled for three months to assess the environmental benefits and viability of having a mooring available for dive boat use.
The group of pinnacles known as Wolf Rock is two kilometres offshore from Double Island Point near Rainbow Beach, is one of five key sites for grey nurse sharks in South-east Queensland.
“The EPA is aware of concerns that damage from dive boats anchoring at Wolf Rock may be damaging fragile coral in the area and affecting the integrity of the grey nurse sharks’ habitat.
“To protect and ensure long term conservation of the area, the Agency is developing a management plan for Wolf Rock which will focus on best practice for recreational and commercial dive operations at the site,” Mr McNamara said.
“The trial mooring, which is for authorised use only, has been installed to determine what environmental impact it will have and if a platform mooring for tender class vessels (less than 6m in length) may help reduce the damage caused by anchors.
“Considerable consultation has been undertaken with the commercial diver operators and local dive clubs to protect these sharks, while also providing a sustainable platform for the long-term use of this spectacular dive site.
Environmental Protection Agency Senior Conservation Officer Carley Bansemer said the endangered grey nurse sharks congregated year round at Wolf Rock.
“Wolf Rock and a 1.2km area surround it is a critical site for the Australian east coast population with mature breeding and pregnant females living there year round,” Ms Bansemer said.
“Seeing a dozen grey nurse sharks at Wolf Rock is not uncommon.
“The largest aggregation I have personally observed at Wolf Rock during a dive consisted of at least 35 females (mostly pregnant), which was a rare experience.”
Mr McNamara said Wolf Rock and surrounding area had been given additional protection through the declaration of the Great Sandy Marine Park last year.
“As a result no extraction activities can take place within this zone, including all types of fishing.
“The provisions for commercial and recreational use, including scuba diving, that are incorporated in the Great Sandy Marine Park Zoning Plan were developed to ensure the protection of specially designated areas such as Wolf Rock.”
Media Contact: Emma Parnell 3336 8002
Media Note: Photographs are available from the EPA Media Unit 3227 8452
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Andrew McNamara said a mooring installed at Wolf Rock recently would be trialled for three months to assess the environmental benefits and viability of having a mooring available for dive boat use.
The group of pinnacles known as Wolf Rock is two kilometres offshore from Double Island Point near Rainbow Beach, is one of five key sites for grey nurse sharks in South-east Queensland.
“The EPA is aware of concerns that damage from dive boats anchoring at Wolf Rock may be damaging fragile coral in the area and affecting the integrity of the grey nurse sharks’ habitat.
“To protect and ensure long term conservation of the area, the Agency is developing a management plan for Wolf Rock which will focus on best practice for recreational and commercial dive operations at the site,” Mr McNamara said.
“The trial mooring, which is for authorised use only, has been installed to determine what environmental impact it will have and if a platform mooring for tender class vessels (less than 6m in length) may help reduce the damage caused by anchors.
“Considerable consultation has been undertaken with the commercial diver operators and local dive clubs to protect these sharks, while also providing a sustainable platform for the long-term use of this spectacular dive site.
Environmental Protection Agency Senior Conservation Officer Carley Bansemer said the endangered grey nurse sharks congregated year round at Wolf Rock.
“Wolf Rock and a 1.2km area surround it is a critical site for the Australian east coast population with mature breeding and pregnant females living there year round,” Ms Bansemer said.
“Seeing a dozen grey nurse sharks at Wolf Rock is not uncommon.
“The largest aggregation I have personally observed at Wolf Rock during a dive consisted of at least 35 females (mostly pregnant), which was a rare experience.”
Mr McNamara said Wolf Rock and surrounding area had been given additional protection through the declaration of the Great Sandy Marine Park last year.
“As a result no extraction activities can take place within this zone, including all types of fishing.
“The provisions for commercial and recreational use, including scuba diving, that are incorporated in the Great Sandy Marine Park Zoning Plan were developed to ensure the protection of specially designated areas such as Wolf Rock.”
Media Contact: Emma Parnell 3336 8002
Media Note: Photographs are available from the EPA Media Unit 3227 8452