Northern Territory Seafood Council Protected Species Factsheets freshwater sharks

Photograph: © Charlotte Klempin description sharks and fishing gear The Speartooth Shark (Glyphis glyphis) and Shark species that inhabit estuaries or rivers, such Northern River Shark (Glyphis garricki) are found as the Glyphis species, are particularly vulnerable in only limited areas of Northern Australia. because their reproductive and survival strategies are closely related to particular environments. Glyphis glyphis and Glyphis garricki can easily Threats to the survival of these sharks include line be confused with the Bull Shark, Carcharhinus fishing, gill netting and habitat degradation. leucas. These are three of only a very few ‘euryhaline’ shark species – capable of tolerating NT legislation has been established to ensure that salinities ranging from freshwater to seawater. commercial Barramundi fisheries are excluded Rivers are especially important for juvenile from a number of rivers in which the protected euryhaline sharks. sharks have been recorded. These rivers are: Daly River, Adelaide River, Sampan Creek, Wildman The Pigeye Shark, (Carcharhinus amboinensis), River, South, East and West Alligator Rivers and is another similar-looking shark species found in Murganella Creek. estuarine and coastal water. If caught on a line or in a net, freshwater sharks The large second dorsal fin on Glyphis sharks have a good chance of survival if they are carefully easily distinguishes them from Bull Sharks and and quickly released. Ensure crew are able to Pigeye Sharks. easily identify protected freshwater shark species Over the page is a guide to identifying Speartooth from similar species such as Bull Sharks. and Northern River Sharks from Bull Sharks Techniques for avoiding or minimising the impacts and Pigeye Sharks. Glyphis glyphis and Glyphis of fishing gear on protected freshwater sharks garricki are protected under Commonwealth and include avoiding areas where they are known to Territory law. occur, checking gear regularly and ensuring nets The best way to distinguish the two Glyphis (and its catch) are not allowed to dry out. species from each other is that on the Speartooth reporting interactions Shark the dark dorsal marking runs through the bottom of the eye. On the Northern River Shark it An “interaction” is any physical contact a person, runs well below the eye. boat or fishing gear has with a protected species.

Photos: Peter Kyne Interactions with protected species are required to be reported to the Australian Government Department of the Environment within 7 days. Contact details are over the page. All interactions should also be accurately recorded on log returns. Records should include the date of interaction, approximate length of the shark, location and whether the shark was released alive or dead. Speartooth Shark Northern River Shark Glyphis glyphis Glyphis garricki

The Northern Territory seafood industry supports initiatives that minimise impacts on the environment and non-target species, including protected species. By supporting your local seafood industry you are supporting sustainable fishing, local jobs and quality, healthy seafood from pristine waters. Learn more by visiting www.ntsc.com.au freshwater and estuarine shark identification

tall first dorsal fin, more than Pigeye Shark Carcharhinus amboinensis 3x as high as 2nd dorsal fin Habitat: marine and estuarine broad head with Length: to 2.8 m hooked nostrils

notch in anal fin less than 90° angle

Bull Shark triangular dorsal fin, 2nd Carcharhinus leucas dorsal fin 1/3 the height broad blunt head Habitat: estuarine and freshwater with straight Length: to 3.3 m nostrils

notch in anal fin greater than 90° angle

broad triangular dorsal fin, 2nd dorsal Speartooth or Northern River Shark fin approx. 3/4 height of 2nd dorsal fin Glyphis spp. (see overleaf for species ID) (much larger than Bull or Pig Shark) broad angled Habitat: freshwater and estuarine snout Length: to 3 m

Images © CSIRO large anal fin, similar in height to second dorsal fin, with no notch further information For further information on protected species and their identification please see the following resources:

The Australian Government Department of the Environment - Reporting all protected species interactions T 1800 641 806 PO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601 Australia E [email protected] | W www.environment.gov.au

Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) - Threatened, Endangered, Protected species Management Fact Sheets, Protected Species ID Guide, and Seabird ID Guide. T 1300 723 621 PO Box 7051 Canberra ACT 2610 Australia E [email protected] | W www.afma.gov.au

The Northern Territory Department of Land Resource Management - Reporting injured marine wildlife Marine Ecosystems, Flora and Fauna Division T Marine WildWatch 1800 453 941 PO Box 496 Palmerston NT 0831 Australia E [email protected] | W www.lrm.nt.gov.au

Photograph: © Charlotte Klempin Territory This project is supported by Territory Natural Resource Management, Natural Resource through funding from the Australian Government. Management