Conservation
Dive Forster at Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the leaders in the
Australian dive industry when it comes to conservation.
Humpback Whales - Information & Whaling
Grey
Nurse Sharks - Evidence of deliberate fishing
The Grey Nurse shark was the first shark to be protected in any way by any
Government in the World.
This protection that was instigated by the NSW Government, whilst a first step
has not ensured the continuing survival of the Grey Nurse Shark.
The Grey Nurse Shark initially a protected species has since been declared
vulnerable, and this status was then upgraded to endangered. Now the Grey Nurse
Shark has been declared critically endangered.
Scientists believe that the species is in danger of becoming extinct within
the next fifteen years.
For the past 15 years we have been pushing and lobbying for the complete protection
and establishment of sanctuary zones as part of a Marine Park. These sanctuary
zones are essential for certain areas in order to protect the Grey Nurse Sharks.
Letters to the Premier of NSW.
It has only been in the last three years that certain government bodies have
started to take notice.
Dive Forster at Fisherman’s Wharf established a PADI Shark Awareness
dive course, the PADI Shark Diver course fifteen years ago. We were the world
originators of the Shark Diver course. This course was designed to educate divers
particularly on the conservation issues concerning the Grey Nurse Sharks.
We have been at the forefront of the recent Grey Nurse Shark surveys having
completed more than 500 separate survey forms over the past two and a half years.
These surveys have reinforced the importance and uniqueness of the dive sites
of Forster and Seal Rocks. The surveys revealed that 60% of the population if
Grey Nurse Sharks in NSW resided in this area. Forster / Seal Rocks was the
ONLY area in Australia that it was possible to dive with Grey Nurse Sharks all
year ‘round!
Many of our “in house” procedures when diving with Grey Nurse Sharks
are recognised as “industry best practice” and have now been adopted
by the NSW SCUBA diving association to be used in their code of practice.
At the moment we are still trying to have many of our dive sites at Forster
and Seal Rocks declared as sanctuary zones as a matter of urgency.
Education
Our aim here at dive forster is to inform and educate all divers on the conservation
issues that effect the oceans of the World and particularly the impact on our
local area. This education starts from our open water dive courses, where all
our students are made fully aware of why certain areas and creatures need protection.
The way in which we conduct our dives is also in the best interests of the
creatures that live there and their habitat.
Baitfish netting by Tuna Boats
We are also trying to have the practice of netting baitfish by long line Tuna
boats on the fragile inshore reefs stopped. This practice is having a huge impact
on our local reefs, we encourage all of our divers to help us in protecting
these areas so in time these sites can be returned to what they were like 20
or 30 years ago. Letter to the NSW Minister for Fisheries.
It is possible to make a difference with active lobbying and pressure on the
Australian Federal and State Governments. In the past our representations have
been instrumental in having floating kingfish traps banned from NSW.
Shark
finning
One impassioned letter to the then Minister for Fisheries, Mr Bob Martin had
the effect of him banning the practice of “shark-finning” in NSW.
Other Australian State governments soon followed, with Victoria, we believe,
the only State not to have banned the practice at this stage.
It was this final letter that we wrote to the Minister inspired him to introduce
the ban.
One person with a good and just cause can with effort make a difference!
Unfortunately the process of shark finning continues, albeit within the new
Fisheries rules, whereby the whole carcass of the shark has to be brought back
to shore intact, before being “finned”.
Fewer sharks are being killed in this grossly wasteful fishery, but we should
not rest until shark fin as a marketable product is banned in Australia.
You
too can make a difference!
We urge all divers to take a stand on conservation issues. Feel free to copy
various letters that appear in this website and onforward them to the relevant
Government Ministers.
Complain to your local Asian restaurant if they have shark fin soup on their menu. Point out to them the worldwide movement to have the dish removed from restaurant menus, even in Asian countries, and how they can help.