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Census Methodology

Introduction and Background

The Grey Nurse Shark (GNS) (Carcharias taurus) is listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to declining numbers around the world. The eastern Australian population of GNS has been declared “critically endangered” under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and as such is the subject of an on-going recovery plan (Australian Government Department of the Environment 2014) which is currently due for review. ​ The initial understanding of relative changes in GNS population size were based on historical and anecdotal fishing records. A key area of evidence for the decline of the eastern Australian GNS populations was the number of GNS captured in the beach protection sharks nets. These nets have been in place off Sydney continually since 1937, Newcastle since 1949 and Wollongong and the Central Coast since 1987 and provide a valuable if devastating long-term dataset for species caught in the nets. The continued decline in the number of GNS trapped in these nets, from 30 GNS per year in the early 1950s to one or two per year by the mid-1980s led to the protection of GNS in NSW in 1984. However, the most convincing source of evidence for their decline, the beach shark nets remain in place in NSW and a new or contract renewal is currently under consideration in NSW. ​ Although the beach protection shark nets contributed to the decline of the GNS population, they were also vulnerable to spear fishing and game fishing through the 1960’s and 1970’s. This played an important, but more hidden role in the demise of the GNS. The voluntary ban on catching GNS by game fishers in 1979 followed by NSW Government protection in 1984 and the classification of GNS habitat as critical sites subject to special management regulations all play a role towards the protection and hopefully the recovery of the Australian east coast population of GNS.

1.1  Contemporary Surveys

There have been several surveys to assess the GNS population on the east coast of Australia. These include: •1999 – 2000 Otway and Parker: the first comprehensive surveys of the relative abundance of GNS east coast population on more than 50 sites from Eden in NSW to Flat Rock in Qld. Surveys were conducted over four-week periods on three occasions: November/December 1998; March/April 1999; and May/June 1999. Volunteers from the scuba community assisted fisheries staff in the surveys. •2003, Otway et.al., •2003 June with follow up August 2003, DPI and volunteers •2004, Otway Burke •2004, Bennett and Bansemer 2004 •2008, Bansemer and Bennett •2009, Bansemer – estimated number of GNS 1,942 •2008 – 2010, CARDNO, 2010 – estimated number of GNS 2008 = 1365 and 2010 = 2142 Subsequently efforts have concentrated on Close Kin Mark and Recapture methods using DNA samples. •2017/18 Close Kin Mark and Recapture Estimate of the population size and trends of the east coast GNS: initiated to provide a contemporary population estimate of the eastern grey nurse shark (Carcharias taurus) using emerging genetic and statistical techniques. Estimated population 2018 = 2,167 animals •2022/23 survey replicates the work undertaken in the 2017/18 study. These results indicate to date that there has been some recovery of the eastern Australian GNS population. However, further work on the risks facing the eastern Australian GNS population is required and implementation of the recommendations from Recovery Plans 2004 and 2014 should be considered and followed through with utmost priority. The GNS habitat extends some 2,700 km from SE Queensland to Eden in Southern NSW and from shallow water of 230m. This represents a very large study area.

2.      CITIZEN SCIENCE

One of the main constraints to broad scale marine research such as estimating the population of GNS over a large geographical range is the lack of funds and insufficient personnel able to workover such a wide geographical area in the time required to provide adequate cover. Citizen science offers the opportunity to address these constraints. A large number of personnel can be fielded in one day to collect data and provide a snapshot of the situation over a large geographical area within a very tight time frame. This process can be undertaken over the same geographical area on a regular basis, providing regular broad-based snapshots of the population potentially identifying any trends that might be developing along the coast. The same process can be applied to identified local areas with local divers on a more regular ad hoc basis. This will provide good time lapse data of developments within a particular area building a good data base for sites along the coast.

2.1  Training for Citizen Science

Divers and free divers participating in citizen science projects should undergo training to ensure that they are competent in the skills required to collect the relevant data. Poor application of skills will undermine the efficacy and value of citizen science resulting in it loosing credibility and not being considered a viable approach to broad scale research and monitoring in the future. Citizen science is likely to paly a more important role in future marine environment monitoring and research roles. It is important that all divers and freedivers participating in the survey complete appropriate training. A training programme will be developed to ensure that all divers are competent in the survey methods including completing the Underwater Visual Census slate accurately and that all photo divers understand the parameters that are required from each photo. Given the geographic range of this project the logistics of delivering the training will have to be considered once approval has been received. This may include a seminar be held in one or two central locations where core volunteers can be provided hands on training and additional training will take place online. It would be preferable to have a trial run prior to the first surveys to iron out any inconsistencies that will inevitably arise in the execution of the initial surveys. Once the participating divers have some experience in the process, it will become easier and the data will become more consistent, this should be taken into account when analysing data from repeat surveys over time.

3.      METHODOLOGY FOR CITIZEN SCIENCE STUDY

The proposed methodology for citizen science GNS population surveys will utilise a combined approach of Underwater Visual Census (UVC) with slates and Photo-tagging.  The proposed methods are a synopsis of previous methods as described in CARDNO 2010.

Code of Conduct

The number one priority is to ensure the safety of both divers and the sharks. At all times the divers must conform to the Australian Marine Parks Code of conduct for diving with grey nurse sharks

This includes not blocking entrances to caves or gutters or entrap grey nurse sharks, not interrupting the swimming pattern of the sharks, and not interfering with or chasing the sharks in any way.

Buddy System

Divers should act safely and responsibly and ensure they have a buddy pair system established prior to the dive. A maximum of 3 buddy pair at any one site/time. One diver will collect the UVC data while the second diver will photo-tag the GNS. The second buddy pair will concentrate on UVC presence absence data and photo-tagging, while the third buddy pair will concentrate only on photo-tagging. This will ensure the maximum number of animals will be counted and photo-tagged from each site. Over time a considerable data base will be developed for each site. Prior to commencing the survey, divers should take overview and photos of the site and take additional notes such as substrate form, presence of fish species, kelp and other biota.

Underwater Visual Census (UVC)

Divers and free divers participating in citizen science projects should undergo training to ensure that they are competent in the skills required to collect the relevant data. Poor application of skills will undermine the efficacy and value of citizen science resulting in it loosing credibility and not being considered a viable approach to broad scale research and monitoring in the future. Citizen science is likely to paly a more important role in future marine environment monitoring and research roles. It is important that all divers and freedivers participating in the survey complete appropriate training. A training programme will be developed to ensure that all divers are competent in the survey methods including completing the Underwater Visual Census slate accurately and that all photo divers understand the parameters that are required from each photo. Given the geographic range of this project the logistics of delivering the training will have to be considered once approval has been received. This may include a seminar be held in one or two central locations where core volunteers can be provided hands on training and additional training will take place online. It would be preferable to have a trial run prior to the first surveys to iron out any inconsistencies that will inevitably arise in the execution of the initial surveys. Once the participating divers have some experience in the process, it will become easier and the data will become more consistent, this should be taken into account when analysing data from repeat surveys over time.

Photo Tagging

The Bradford et al. 2018 report states that photo-tagging has become a common non-invasive method for sampling threatened species and was used in estimating abundance and movements within the eastern Australian GNS population (CARDNO 2010). This reports also recommends phot-tagging for developing citizen science opportunities to compliment contemporary GNS population surveys. Photo-tagging is the preferred non-invasive method for counting, identifying and marking individual animals and confirming repeat sightings for Mark and Recapture analysis. The GNS has a number of dark pigmentation spots on their flank and fins that are unique to each animal. This unique pattern can be photographed and used to identify an individual and repeat occurrences of the same animal at the same or different sites. The photos are analysed with identification software. Analysis of the data for mark and recapture to estimate the overall population will use the Peterson Formula with Chapman modifications as described in the CARDNO 2010 report. Additional identification marks such as other identifiable injuries to the fins and torso for example should also be recorded. All photos should be of the side flank of the animals (left or right), as close to 90 degrees to the animal as possible and close enough to capture the markings, and as much of the animal as possible. More than one photo of each animal will be useful, especially showing any injuries or other identifying features. The additional photos will be resolved through the software analysis. The training programme will identify the key attributes required for successful photo tagging. Phot-tags will improve as divers gain experience with this process. It can be expected that a valuable photo-database across the geographical study range will be developed providing images of a high percentage of the individuals that make up the east coast population.

Time Limit

The survey should continue for a maximum of 30 minutes. Results from previous surveys found that the 15-minute limit underestimated numbers and that additional numbers were recorded during the extra time. It is therefore proposed to continue the survey for the maximum time of 30 minutes per dive. 

Report the sightings

Spot A Shark is a citizen-science program that engages anyone who spends time with Grey Nurse Sharks in the water and can assist our research along East Australian coast. Divers, snorkellers, and others are asked to photograph encounters with Grey Nurse sharks and post their images to the Spot A Shark website. Spot A Shark has now gathered more than 7000 photos with evidence that supports a population size of approximately 1200 individuals. We encourage that divers submit their photos to the website

Census Checklist

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Download Census Slate here

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