Single women grumbling about the man drought in Sydney should spare a thought for the Grey Nurse Shark.
"With fewer than 500 grey nurse sharks left on the east coast of Australia, the remaining population is finding it harder and harder to find a mate," said Cate Faehrmann, Director of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
“Instead of hanging round bars and singles parties, the Grey Nurse Shark is known to breed in a few areas along the NSW coast, like Magic Point off Maroubra, Montague Island on the south coast and Seal Rocks on the mid north coast. But fishing is still permitted in these areas and many grey nurse sharks fall victim to the fishing hooks.
“Last week one of the rare and magnificent Grey nurse Sharks was killed in a shark net off Bondi Beach.
"The grey nurse shark is harmless to humans, but large numbers have been killed by humans because of their ferocious appearance. They are now critically endangered.
"Unless we act now to protect breeding habitats the grey nurse shark will be extinct within our lifetime.
"You can adopt a shark for as little as $75 a year. The money goes towards research and conservation of the grey nurse shark.
"This Valentines day, surprise your lover by adopting a shark for them," Ms Faehrmann said.
Each 'parent' receives:
- Adoption Certificate thanking them for their involvement
- Grey Nurse Shark CD containing educational games and fact sheets and some great Grey Nurse Shark images
- Quarterly email updates on Grey Nurse Sharks with information articles, research updates, sighting reports and other marine conservation information
- A Grey Nurse Shark tattoo and poster.
Adopt a Shark is supported by Project AWARE, the dive industry's leading non-profit environmental organisation.
