G'Day, Viv,

Re your earlier report about the sale of GW jaws.

I don't know what the situation is on the West Coast, but over on this side
of the 'island', the Grey Nurse Shark is having a tough time of it!

The following item appeared in Friday's newspaper.

"Grey nurse shark 'near extinction'

The grey nurse shark is at imminent risk of extinction with the Federal
Government now upgrading its status from endangered to critical.

The new emergency listing of the species applies to the east coast grey
nurse population, which some estimates have now at fewer than 500.

The majority of the sites where the animal is recorded are in NSW water.

Environment Minister Robert Hill changed the status of the animals this week
after submissions from the Humane Society International.

Senator Hill upgraded the status from"vulnerable to extinction" to
critically endangered" - which means that unless dramatic changes occur the
animal will become extinct.

The Humane Society welcomed Australia's recognition of the urgent plight of
the grey nurse shark.

"Scientists have estimated that there are fewer than 500 individuals left,"
said HSI wildlife and habitats campaigner Rebecca Brand.

---ENDS---

During the 'sixties and early 'seventies, at a time when the grey nurse was
thought to be a 'man-killer', whole colonies of the grey nurse - in Sydney
waters alone - were killed by divers armed with power-heads.

I can't help thinking about the absurdity of wiping out a creature that,
according to some researchers, may hold a possible key to an eventual cure
for cancer!

Strike