DATELINE: 1 November 2002

DIVERS WIN SANCTUARY FOR GREY NURSE SHARK

Divers campaigning for 10 new marine sanctuaries in New South Wales, Australia, to protect endangered grey nurse sharks, have won a partial victory.
Ten marine sanctuaries have been identified, and commercial long-line fishing and some scuba diving activities will banned in those areas. However, recreational fishing will still be allowed, and many conservationists are worried that this will disturb the endangered sharks. Australia's Nature Conservation Council has complained that the policy plays into the hands of the recreational fishing industry.
Local divers campaigning for the sanctuaries have welcomed the move as the first step towards providing better protection for the grey nurse shark.
If you like the idea of diving with sharks, check out our new swimming with sharks section.