Rare Sharks Were Far from Home, Scientists Find

Canberra Times, Canberra 01 Mar 2013, by Aleisha Orr General News, page 3 - 179.63 cm² Capital City Daily - circulation 28,550 (MTWTFS-) Media Monitors Client Service Rare sharks were far from home, scientistsIt is not known why the sharks find were found so far from their normal habitat. TwoBy Aleisha years Orr ago, recreational fisherman The find has scientists re-evaluating Steve Downs was deep-sea fishing near their understanding of the species. Rottnest Island when he caught two ‘‘The female shark found off Rottnest sharks he was unable to identify. had 22 unborn pups and is only the It turns out the species had never been second-ever recorded specimen of a seen in Australian waters before. pregnant female of this species,’’ Mr Centre 1300 880 082 Mr Downs contacted the Department Kempster said. ‘‘Previously, it was of Fisheries, which then brought in shark thought that the maximum number of biologist Ryan Kempster, of the Uni- pups for this species was 10.’’ versity of Western Australia’s oceans Mr Kempster said only a few speci- institute, to try to determine what type mens of this species had ever been found of shark it was and whether or not it was and the female caught near Rottnest, a new species. although small for a shark, was the Fisheries experts have spoken about Mr Kempster said this process proved The mystery sharks were a male thatlargest specimen ever to be found. how much there is still to be learnt aboutdifficult. was just under one metre long and a Mr Kempster said it was very unlikely sharks, which, in addition to the recent ‘‘DNA sequencing between closelypregnant female about 1.2 metres long.that these were the only two of their kind five fatal shark attacks in the state, is whyrelated sharks can be tricky, as it can be The sharks have now been identifiedin the area. the government has put millions ofso similar,’’ he said. ‘‘When I saw them,as Mandarin dogfish (Cirrhigaleus The researchers’ findings were dollars into shark research. they had characteristics of many differ-barbifer), pictured above, a speciesannounced this week in the Marine What followed was a two-year investig-ent sharks but not all the characteristicspreviously found only between Indone-Biodiversity Records journal published by Copyright Agency Ltd (CAL) ation, which included DNA sequencing.of one species.’’ sia and Japan, and also in New Zealand.Cambridge University Press. licensed copy ID 183692846 PAGE 1 of 1 Rare sharks were far from home, scientists find By Aleisha Orr Two years ago, recreational fisherman was just under one metre long and a Steve Downs was deep-sea fishing near pregnant female about 1.2 metres long. Rottnest Island when he caught two The sharks have now been identified sharks he was unable to identify. as Mandarin dogfish (Cirrhigaleus It turns out the species had never been barbifer), pictured above, a species seen in Australian waters before. previously found only between Indone- Mr Downs contacted the Department sia and Japan, and also in New Zealand. of Fisheries, which then brought in shark biologist Ryan Kempster, of the Uni- It is not known why the sharks were versity of Western Australia’s oceans found so far from their normal habitat. institute, to try to determine what type The find has scientists re-evaluating of shark it was and whether or not it was their understanding of the species. a new species. ‘‘The female shark found off Rottnest Fisheries experts have spoken about had 22 unborn pups and is only the how much there is still to be learnt about second-ever recorded specimen of a sharks, which, in addition to the recent pregnant female of this species,’’ Mr five fatal shark attacks in the state, is why Kempster said. ‘‘Previously, it was the government has put millions of thought that the maximum number of dollars into shark research. pups for this species was 10.’’ What followed was a two-year investig- Mr Kempster said only a few speci- ation, which included DNA sequencing. mens of this species had ever been found and the female caught near Rottnest, Mr Kempster said this process proved although small for a shark, was the difficult. largest specimen ever to be found. ‘‘DNA sequencing between closely Mr Kempster said it was very unlikely related sharks can be tricky, as it can be that these were the only two of their kind so similar,’’ he said. ‘‘When I saw them, in the area. they had characteristics of many differ- The researchers’ findings were ent sharks but not all the characteristics announced this week in the Marine of one species.’’ Biodiversity Records journal published by Cambridge University Press. The mystery sharks were a male that was just under one metre long and a MYSTERY: A Mandarin dogfish, a rare species of shark found off the WA coast..

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