South-eastern Australian waters are a region globally-recognised as an extinction risk hotspot for endemic chondrichthyans [1,2]. One quarter (10/39) of all of Australia’s threatened chondrichthyans are endemic species that interact with Australia’s largest fishery by area and volume, the Commonwealth-managed Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery (SESSF) [3]. These species are as unique as a koala and in just as much trouble.
All threatened endemics impacted by the SESSF are either recommended by scientists for listing under Australia’s nature laws or identified as needing to be prioritised for data collection [3]. Consequently, this necessitates a precautionary approach to their conservation which poses significant management challenges for SESSF.
Conservation solutions will require focus on improving data collection, implementing spatial management strategies, and enhancing public awareness. The creation of a “Deepwater Chondrichthyan Recovery Strategy” as an evolution of the Commonwealth's existing “Upper Slope Dogfish Management Strategy”, provides an effective means to conserve, recover and address data needs of endemics whilst supporting environmentally sustainable fisheries into the future [4].
Australia has the resources and technical know-how such that alongside effective management and compliance, we can achieve recovery of some of the world’s most endangered sharks and rays.