New Wobbegong Sharks

Here's the media release:

"Two new wobbegong shark species have been found off the South West coast of Western Australia, during catch monitoring of the regional commercial shark fishery.
"Details of the new wobbegong species have recently been published in the taxonomic journal Zootaxa, following a collaborative project by CSIRO taxonomist Dr Peter Last and WA Department of Fisheries shark researcher Justin Chidlow.
"Mr Chidlow said wobbegongs were not as sleek looking as some of the better-known sharks and the new species helped reinforce the importance of the continental shelf off WA as an area where a large range of wobbegong species could be encountered.
"'Specimens of the new floral banded wobbegong (Orectolobus floridus) have been found between Geraldton and Augusta and specimens of the dwarf spotted wobbegong (Orectolobus parvimaculatus) were found in shark fishery catches between Green Head and Mandurah,' Mr Chidlow said.
"'When I first saw the floral banded wobbegong it looked similar to the species many fishers know as the cobbler wobbegong (Sutorectus tentaculatus), but on closer inspection there were some very obvious differences that help define it as a separate species.
"'Identification of the dwarf spotted wobbegong was a little more complicated, because we initially thought the specimens we had were juveniles of the spotted wobbegong species, or Orectolobus maculatus.
"'However, we also noticed some distinct differences in sizes at maturity in the specimens we had observed, so it became obvious that the new species was more like a dwarf form of the known species. The word parvi is latin for small, hence the name parvimaculatus for the new species.'
"Mr Chidlow said the colour of the floral banded species was mainly dark brown with yellowish blotches on the upper surface and white on the underbelly, whereas the adult of the dwarf spotted was a lighter yellowish brown with large white blotches on top and creamy coloured underneath.
"'Wobbegongs, which are often sold in fish shops under the name of carpet shark, are probably the most common shark species seen by divers. It’s amazing to think that the new species have been present off our coast, but that it’s only now that they have been formally identified as separate and been added to the list of known wobbegong species,' he said.
"'Our greater understanding of all species increases our knowledge on the sustainability and management of Western Australia’s shark fisheries.'"

Shark vs Kangaroo

A Geelong, Australia, man says he watched a kangaroo hop down to the beach and start swimming. About 80 meters from shore, the animal was struck by a 2-3m shark that leaped out of the water and struck it, pulling it under. No pics, unfortunately. (News source.)

Albino Nurse Shark

An albino grey nurse shark was photographed off Australia's Fish Rock in New South Wales. It was a 2.2 meter male. From the news:

"Despite albinos having a lower chance of survival because they are visible to prey, Mr Cragg said this shark was 'fighting fit'.
"'It looks like an active male and it was hanging out with the other sharks quite peacefully,' he said. " ...

"The sighting comes as South West Rocks residents wait to hear if Fish Rock will become a 'no-fishing' zone.
"The Nature Conservation Council (NCC) is pushing for more exclusion zones in NSW such as Fish Rock on the grounds the grey nurse shark species is nearly extinct, with fewer than 500 on the east coast. However, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest up to 6000 grey nurses are out there."

Borneo Shark Found

One of the rarest sharks on Earth has been found again.

The Borneo shark, Carcharhinus borneensis, is listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species, and is known from only 5 specimens since 1858. The last being in 1937.

A team of researchers from the University Malaysia Sabah identified the shark, along with a new crab and ray fish, during a survey of the Sabah and Sarawak area.

This shark is known to reach around 2 meters in length, give birth to live pups, and lives inshore. Its ecology and behaviors are virtually unknown due to its rarity, and it is known only from Borneo and a specimen near China.

New shark, ray species found

Please note, the article below details some basic data on 20 new species of sharks and rays from Indonesia between 2001 and 2006, some have been formally described, others are pending. You can purchase a hard copy of the referenced field guide through the ACIAR, or also download a copy (over 6 mb) freely of "Economically important sharks and rays Indonesia "


Twenty new species of sharks and rays have been discovered in Indonesia during a five-year survey of catches at local fish markets, Australian researchers said on Wednesday.

The survey by the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, or CSIRO, represents the first in-depth look at Indonesia's sharks and rays since Dutch scientist Pieter Bleeker described more than 1 100 fish species from 1842-1860.

Researchers said six of their discoveries have been described in peer review journals, including the Bali Catshark and Jimbaran Shovelnose Ray, found only in Bali, and the Hortle's Whipray, found only in West Papua.Papers on the remaining 14 are being prepared.

"Indonesia has the most diverse shark and ray fauna and the largest shark and ray fishery in the world, with reported landings of more than 100 000 tons a year," said William White, a co-author of the study. "Before this survey, however, there were vast gaps in our knowledge of sharks and rays in this region."

Based on the survey's findings, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research has published a 330-page, full-colour, field guide titled: "Economically Important Sharks and Rays of Indonesia."From 2001 to 2006, researchers photographed and sampled more than 130 species on 22 survey trips to 11 ports across Indonesia.

More than 800 specimens were lodged in reference collections at the Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense at Cibinong, Java, and the Australian National Fish Collection at Hobart.The survey was part of a broader project working toward improved management of sharks and rays in Indonesia and Australia, researchers said.

"Good taxonomic information is critical to managing shark and ray species, which reproduce relatively slowly and are extremely vulnerable to overfishing," White said in a statement. "It provides the foundation for estimating population sizes, assessing the effects of fishing and developing plans for fisheries management and conservation."