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Gladstone Fish Health Investigation 2011 - 2012 - Western Basin ...

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Observational findings Phase 1Phase 1 sampling of sharks included observations made between September <strong>2011</strong> andFebruary <strong>2012</strong> across a range of species (227 sharks and rays). Table 9 lists the number ofeach species encountered during targeted sampling events or during routine, at-seaobserving trips.Table 9. The sharks and rays observed during Phase 1.SpeciesNumberBlacktip whaler complex (Carcharhinus limbatus & Carcharhinus tilstoni) 45Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) 65Creek whaler (Carcharhinus fitzroyensis) 5Eagle ray (Myliobatidae sp.) 3Giant shovelnose (Rhinobatos typus) 1Graceful shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchoides) 3Grey carpet shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum) 2Lemon shark (Negaprion acutidens) 18Milk shark (Rhizoprionodon acutus) 22Narrow sawfish (Anoxypristis cuspidatus) 2Pigeye shark (Carcharhinus amboinenis) 5Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) 7Sharks unidentifed in field (Carcharhinus spp.) 31Spinner shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna) 2Spot-tail shark (Carcharhinus sorrah) 1Stingrays (Dasyatis spp.) 2Weasle shark (Hemigaleus australiensis) 2Whitecheek shark (Carcharhinus coatesi) 1Whitespotted guitarfish (Rhynchobatus australiae) 9Zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum) 1Total 227During September <strong>2011</strong>, nine sharks caught in the Fitzroy River by a commercial fisher wereobserved to be in good health. The sharks comprised a number of species, including bullsharks (2), creek whalers (3), pigeye sharks (3) and a blacktip whaler.A total of 87 sharks and rays were sampled in October and November <strong>2011</strong> from a range ofsites including the Fitzroy River (5), Narrows (1), Calliope River (16), <strong>Gladstone</strong> Harbour(21), Rodds Bay (43) and Bundaberg (1). Sharks showed a range of abnormal conditionsthroughout the study area, including the reference sites. A number of sharks showed varyingdegrees of skin redness generally on the flanks and underside of the body. Although thecause of the redness is unknown, sharks can display varying levels of red, discoloured skindepending on the length of time in the net and post-harvest handling. One stingray wascaught during a trawl survey that had an injured, shortened tail with the barb missing.A number of sharks also had areas of lighter skin discolouration, particularly between the firstand second dorsal fins. Closer examination revealed the placoid scales (tough modifiedscales found on sharks and rays) were absent, exposing the underlying layers of skin(epidermis and dermis). Some of these areas were bleeding and appeared to haveassociated scratch marks. Many of these sharks were observed to have numerous flatworm56

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