BYCATCH IN THE PROTECTIVE SHARK MESHING PROGRAM OFF SOUTH-EASTERN NEW-SOUTH-WALES, AUSTRALIA

There has been a consistent bycatch associated with the New South Wale s (NSW) protective shark meshing programme since its inception in 1937 . In addition to potentially dangerous shark species, various harmless species of sharks, marine mammals, turtles, rays and finfish have als o been caught over the intervening years. Numerically, rays were the m ost common bycatch group recorded. The most common finfish caught were jewfish or mulloway (Argyrosomus hololepidotus), tunas (Scombridae) a nd kingfish (Seriola lalandi). Smaller numbers of dolphins, turtles an d dugongs were also recorded. Very little information is available on many of these species in NSW waters. The need to consider a co-ordinat ed biological monitoring programme for the NSW shark meshing operation is also discussed. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd