Management & Conservation
Sharks reproduce slowly, which is one of the reasons they are vulnerable to exploitation. Some sharks produce, on average, only one offspring per year. A few sharks lay large eggs (some of which are called "mermaid's purses") from which well-developed young hatch, but about 70% of sharks, including most Great Barrier Reef species, give birth to live young called pups.
 |  |  |
| Leopard shark egg, shining a light through it allows you to see the baby shark inside | Leopard shark juvenile | Leopard shark adult |
Predator or Prey Challenge
 |
Divers observing shark feeding |
Who's Eating Whom?
Download and print out your Predator or Prey activity sheet. Once you have completed your concept map. Write a persuasive argument that responds to the central question. Be sure to include all components of your concept map in your argument. The major components of your concept map should form the paragraphs of your argument. Use linking sentences between paragraphs so that your argument flows smoothly. The following links will help you complete your concept map.
The Threatened Status of Sharks and Related Species
The End of the Line Global Threats to Sharks
Deep Sea Detectives Challenge 1
 |
Freshwater sawfish Pristis microdon |
"The case of the missing sawfish"
The sawfish is one of the many unique species of shark found on the Great Barrier Reef. Their numbers have been slowly declining. Download and print out your Deep Sea Detective Case File. Using your highly trained skills as a Deep Sea Detective sort through the information contained in the following links to unravel the answers to the questions in your case file.
DEH Marine Species Conservation
What might happen if sawfish were to become extinct?
Draw a Futures Wheel that shows the flow-on results of the sawfish becoming extinct. Hint: Futures wheels can have many flow-on results they are only restricted by your imagination.
Deep Sea Detectives Challenge 2
"Falsely Accused - The Case of the Grey Nurse Shark"
The Grey Nurse shark is generaly is a slow moving and timid shark. Found along the entire coast of Queensland and New South Wales. The Greay Nurse shark has been severely affected by human activities in recent years. Download and print out you Deep Sea Detectives Case File. Use the following links to uncover the truth behind the case of the Greay Nurse shark.
Department of the Environment and Heritage - Grey Nurse Sharks
Department of the Environment and Heritage - Threatened Species
Department of Primary Industries - Fishweb
Grey Nurse Shark Protection Areas
There have been many actions in the Great Barrier Reef and around the world to help protect and conserve sharks cllick here to find out more.
Now that you have completed all of the Conservation and Management challenges its time to "Take Action". Click on the picture of the Cowtail stingray to start your Taking Action challenges. |  |
Cowtail stingray Pastinachus sephen |
