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White Sharks Count a great success |
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The Conservation Council’s White Sharks Count project has proven a huge  success, with 63 reports of shark sightings received from commercial and recreational fishers, charter boat operators and other users of South Australia's marine environment. The purpose of the project is to use sighting of white sharks by the general public to build a picture of the sharks status and movements in local waters. This previously untapped resource is a simple yet effective way of getting the community involved with a real conservation project. The white shark, which has lived in our oceans for millions of years, is protected under both Commonwealth and State legislation due to its hugely reduced numbers and its extremely slow recovery rate. This website contains some fact sheets on the white shark, an up to date sightings map and a link for you to report a sighting. Remember if you see one, DON'T JUST TELL YOUR MATES! |
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What the sightings are telling us so far |
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 The 57 reported sightings to date have been a really good start to the white shark count. Looking at the sighting data gathered so far some clear patterns are emerging. For starters it is obvious that there are a higher number of sightings around Whyalla, Ceduna and other coastal settlements. It is also noted that the sightings are for generally medium sharks, with few reported that are under a metre and only 1 over 6 metres. However, unfortunately there are still not enough sightings to begin to look at the relationships between size and location, sex and location or any of those other aspects that this project one day endeavours to address. Te project is only just beginning to get the number of sightings to start to draw some information out of the data. In short more sightings are need before some conclusions can be reached.
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Sighting Map Now Avaliable! |
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 The sightings map has been updated on the 22nd of November, to see it click here. This map shows all 63 sightings. See if you can find yours!
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Great White Shark information |
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The White Shark – Carcharodon carcharias The White Shark belongs to the family Lamnidae and is closely related to the Mako, Porbeagle and Salmon Sharks. It’s scientific name is Carcharodon carcharias and is more commonly known as the White Shark, Great White and White Pointer. The White Shark can reach lengths over 6 metres and can weigh up to 3,000 kilograms. See the fact sheets for information on: Distribution Biology - diet, snout, heat, eyes, electro reception, maturity and reproduction. Protection Status Supporting data for protection Threats - Both major and minor Tagging Shark attack statistics
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