Scientists calling for protection of Rockingham’s hammerhead sharks similar to whales

With the community focused on the plight of little penguins, scientists are also calling for stronger protection of hammerhead sharks ahead of their return to the Rockingham coast this summer.

University of Western Australia marine ecologist Andrea Lopez monitored critically endangered scalloped hammerheads within the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park for two years.

Schools of up to 60 sharks have been filmed by drone cameras swimming in hypnotic patterns through the shallow waters of the marine park.

Some of the stunning videos captured of the hammerheads by amateur photographers have racked up thousands of views online.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Local photographer Brendan Walter captured the ‘special’ group of animals on Monday morning off the coast of Rockingham — with the spectacular video capturing at least 17 of the large animals.

Local photographer Brendan Walter captured the ‘special’ group of animals on Monday morning off the coast of Rockingham — with the spectacular video capturing at least 17 of the large animals.

But for some, it isn’t enough just to see the incredible animals, they choose to harass or capture the juveniles on a fishing line.

“Unfortunately, it’s legal for people to fish this endangered species in the marine park,” Dr Lopez said.

“Hammerheads are unfortunately not a very resilient species; they don’t manage stress very well on their body.

“So it’s not a safe species to catch and release. Once the animal is released, it will swim away, but there’s a high chance the animal will go into shock and die. Most hammerheads don’t survive catch and release.”

Dr Andrea Lopez. Credit: Marine Futures Lab

Their actions are worse in the light of studies by Dr Lopez that suggest the sharks are seeking a place to rest and recover after a night’s hunting.

Dr Lopez said sharks hunt during full moons, using the light to better see their prey.

She believes they then gather in groups in the marine park for protection from predators while they rest and digest.

Shoalwater Marine Park is fragmented into different levels of protection but most of the park allows for fishing.

“Where the scalloped hammerheads aggregate is in between two of these zones, however, they are not protected in any,” Dr Lopez said. “We hope there is a movement towards creating a sanctuary area, which would restrict fishing at the place where they aggregate.”

Dr Lopez said this would give the animals a chance to use the area for resting and shelter.

She would also like to see a restriction on snorkelling, kayaking and jet skis in the area. Dr Lopez would also like hammerheads protected by a code of conduct similar to the one that protects whales.

This would give the scalloped hammerheads a better chance at growing to adulthood.

A State Government spokesperson said further protections were not on the cards for the sharks.

“While the State Government may consider extending sanctuary zones to include aggregation areas for juvenile scalloped hammerhead sharks as part of a future review of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park Management Plan 2007-2017, the current management plan is considered to be providing effective management of this species,” they said.

However, the current management plan isn’t enough according to Dr Lopez.

Hammerhead sharks near Rockingham. Credit: Brendan Walter/Supplied

She said they have not been monitoring the marine park’s hammerheads for long but she had already observed a decline in the number of sharks in the area.

The marine park was already in the spotlight due to the decline of its penguin population.

Hundreds of people rallied to save Penguin Island’s penguin colony last week after a report found the number of penguins on the island has dropped to just 114, a reduction of 94 per cent since the colony’s highest estimate in 2008.

Save Rockingham’s Little Penguins founder Dawn Jecks accused the government of focusing on tourism in the area and not conservation.