Quantifying shark depredation in a recreational fishery in the Ningaloo Marine Park and Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia

Abstract

The authors thank all of the recreational fishers interviewed throughout the boat ramp surveys, without whom the study would not have been possible. Gratitude is also extended to the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, Government of Western Australia, for supplying boat ramp visitation data, and to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for providing SST data for this study. Peter Barnes from the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions provided local support and information relating to the fishery and the Ningaloo Marine Park. Thanks also go to Claire Smallwood and Karina Ryan from The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, for their advice on boat ramp survey design. Brett Molony and Stephen Newman from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development also provided important background information on the recreational and commercial fisheries in this region, as well as useful feedback on the manuscript. Matias Braccini is thanked for offering guidance on the statistical analysis conducted in this study. Matt Gillett and Leyland Campbell from Recfishwest provided information on recreational fishing in Western Australia. Lastly, the authors thank Rory McAuley, Alastair Harry and Hannah Zilles from The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, as well as 3 other anonymous reviewers, for providing feedback on the manuscript. This study was funded by the Australian Federal Government and The University of Western Australia, through an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship and Australian Postgraduate Award for J.D.M, with additional funding also received from the Jock Clough Marine Foundation.