NESP MB Project A9 - Grey Nurse Shark CK-MR Population Estimate – East Coast

Research Project

Researchers: Bradford, Russell (principalInvestigator) ,  CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (CMAR) (Associated with) ,  Department of the Environment and Energy (DoEE), Australian Government (Resource provider of) ,  Emma Flukes (Point of contact) ,  Emma Flukes (Point of contact)
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Full description This record provides an overview of the scope and research output of NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub Project A9 - "Grey Nurse Shark CK-MR Population Estimate – East Coast". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata.

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A review of the 2002 National Recovery Plan for Grey Nurse Shark (DEWHA 2009) concluded it was not possible to determine if the east coast population had shown any signs of recovery (DoE 2014); recommending a new recovery plan be developed for this species. A primary objective of the new recovery plan (DoE 2014) is to improve knowledge of GNS population status. This will require a robust estimate of population size and trend – something that has not been provided to date. This project will use genetic SNP data to inform close kin-mark recapture analysis to estimate population size and trend, and provide guidance on future monitoring strategies for the east coast population of grey nurse shark.

Planned Outputs
• Tools to refine and integrate CK-MR and species demographic data for population assessments of a key threatened species at a national scale (combining knowledge developed under this project combined with similar techniques being applied under NESP to euryhaline sharks and white sharks).
• A national estimate of (census) population size and trend for the eastern Australian population of grey nurse shark will be developed to fulfil the highest priority actions of the National Recovery Plan.
• Identify national strategies to guide future monitoring of grey nurse shark populations.
• The project will provide peer-reviewed additions to the scientific literature that will add to the science-support for the development and implementation of policies to support the ecologically sustainable management of Australia’s marine environment.

Lineage Maintenance and Update Frequency: asNeeded

Notes Credit
Rusell Bradford (CSIRO), Mark Bravington (CSIRO), Richard Hillary (CSIRO), Pierre Feutry (CSIRO), Barry Bruce (CSIRO), David Harasti (NSW DPI)

Notes Credit
National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Marine Biodiversity Hub

Notes Credit
Department of the Environment and Energy, Australian Government

Notes Credit
In addition to NESP (DoE) funding, this project is matched by an equivalent amount of in-kind support and co-investment from project partners and collaborators.

Notes Purpose
This project aims to address the primary objective of the 2014 recovery plan (“Develop and apply quantitative monitoring of the population status (distribution and abundance) and potential recovery of the grey nurse shark in Australian waters. “) through the application of close kin-mark recapture (CK-MR) techniques to provide a robust contemporary estimate of population size and trend. The CK-MR approach has proven successful for several species of conservation concern.

Data time period: 2016-01-01 to 2017-06-30

155.91797,-10.34742 155.91797,-44.80054 110.74219,-44.80054 110.74219,-10.34742 155.91797,-10.34742

133.330078125,-27.573980775455

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