surferman
07-17-2008, 08:57 AM
Shark rescued after biting on giant fishing hook
Last Updated: 12:05PM BST 17/07/2008
An endangered shark was saved from a slow and painful death by a rescue team after getting a giant fishing hook stuck in its throat.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00691/shark-rescue-1_691070c.jpg BARCROFT
Marine experts from Sea World led the effort to rescue the gray nurse shark
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00691/shark-rescue-2_691071c.jpg BARCROFT
The shark was placed in a dormant state in order for the team to reach into the shark's oesophagus
Scuba divers spotted the distressed female grey nurse shark swimming near Julian Rocks in the Cape Byron Marine Park, off the far north coast of New South Wales, in Australia, and took underwater photos of the animal.
After reporting the sighting to the authorities, a team of experts from nearby theme park Sea World, the NSW Fisheries Department and the Marine Parks Authority went out to help the three-metre shark.
The team located the shark in about 15 metres of water, with eight other grey nurse sharks, and marine scientists coaxed it into a see-through tube before carefully removing the embedded gaff.
Sea World director of marine sciences Trevor Long led the expedition in the theme park's rescue boat.
"We had an ambitious thought that we could find the shark and catch it and we were prepared to stay as long as it took," he said.
"However, we were extremely fortunate to find it on the first dive. The rescue team were able to rope noose the injured shark and tire her out, allowing them to place her in a specially designed Perspex tube."
The shark was lifted from the water and placed in a 4,000 litre tank using a crane, with the rescue team then turning the shark on her back, placing her in a dormant state.
"When the shark was in a relaxed state, we inserted a large PVC pipe into her mouth and conducted a delicate procedure to remove the gaff hook, which was lodged in her oesophagus" said Mr Long.
"Following the removal of the large hook, the shark was administered a dose of broad spectrum antibiotics and tagged with a special tracking device which will remain with the shark for 90 days, and allow the team to collect data from her movements during this period."
Mr Long said the shark was then released and observed swimming strongly to rejoin its original school. He added the rescue team were extremely happy with the result.
Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said it was an extraordinarily difficult and dangerous operation and congratulated those involved for their professionalism and speedy response.
"There was no bleeding when the gaff was removed and the shark was given a dose of antibiotics as a precautionary measure," he said.
Grey Nurse Sharks are an endangered species and there are thought to be fewer than 500 remaining in New South Wales waters.
Mr Macdonald added the sharks were regular visitors to the Cape Byron Marine Park during the winter months.
"Julian Rocks is one of 10 grey nurse shark critical habitats established by the NSW Government in 2002, which is subject to special fishing and diving rules to help protect the species," he said.
"Grey Nurses are placid sharks, not aggressive to humans and a delight for divers to watch in the water, helping to boost tourism in the area."
Last Updated: 12:05PM BST 17/07/2008
An endangered shark was saved from a slow and painful death by a rescue team after getting a giant fishing hook stuck in its throat.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00691/shark-rescue-1_691070c.jpg BARCROFT
Marine experts from Sea World led the effort to rescue the gray nurse shark
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00691/shark-rescue-2_691071c.jpg BARCROFT
The shark was placed in a dormant state in order for the team to reach into the shark's oesophagus
Scuba divers spotted the distressed female grey nurse shark swimming near Julian Rocks in the Cape Byron Marine Park, off the far north coast of New South Wales, in Australia, and took underwater photos of the animal.
After reporting the sighting to the authorities, a team of experts from nearby theme park Sea World, the NSW Fisheries Department and the Marine Parks Authority went out to help the three-metre shark.
The team located the shark in about 15 metres of water, with eight other grey nurse sharks, and marine scientists coaxed it into a see-through tube before carefully removing the embedded gaff.
Sea World director of marine sciences Trevor Long led the expedition in the theme park's rescue boat.
"We had an ambitious thought that we could find the shark and catch it and we were prepared to stay as long as it took," he said.
"However, we were extremely fortunate to find it on the first dive. The rescue team were able to rope noose the injured shark and tire her out, allowing them to place her in a specially designed Perspex tube."
The shark was lifted from the water and placed in a 4,000 litre tank using a crane, with the rescue team then turning the shark on her back, placing her in a dormant state.
"When the shark was in a relaxed state, we inserted a large PVC pipe into her mouth and conducted a delicate procedure to remove the gaff hook, which was lodged in her oesophagus" said Mr Long.
"Following the removal of the large hook, the shark was administered a dose of broad spectrum antibiotics and tagged with a special tracking device which will remain with the shark for 90 days, and allow the team to collect data from her movements during this period."
Mr Long said the shark was then released and observed swimming strongly to rejoin its original school. He added the rescue team were extremely happy with the result.
Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said it was an extraordinarily difficult and dangerous operation and congratulated those involved for their professionalism and speedy response.
"There was no bleeding when the gaff was removed and the shark was given a dose of antibiotics as a precautionary measure," he said.
Grey Nurse Sharks are an endangered species and there are thought to be fewer than 500 remaining in New South Wales waters.
Mr Macdonald added the sharks were regular visitors to the Cape Byron Marine Park during the winter months.
"Julian Rocks is one of 10 grey nurse shark critical habitats established by the NSW Government in 2002, which is subject to special fishing and diving rules to help protect the species," he said.
"Grey Nurses are placid sharks, not aggressive to humans and a delight for divers to watch in the water, helping to boost tourism in the area."