The future of recreational fishing for Mako sharks in Commonwealth Waters (3 nautical miles from shore) will be decided when Federal Parliament resumes on 22 February 2010.

As of 29 January 2010, Shortfin Mako, Longfin Mako and Porbeagle sharks joined Whale Sharks, Basking Sharks and Great Whites as zero take migratory species under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act despite there being no compelling evidence that Mako Sharks are threatened in Australian waters. The decision was made at an international Convention on Migratory Species in December 2008 yet Recfish Australia was only informed of the decision in early November 2009.

Recfish Australia has been working closely with the Department of the Enviroment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and peak recreational fishing bodies such as the Game Fishing Association of Australia, Australian National Sportfishing Association and the Boating and Fishing Council of Australia to find a suitable outcome. What exactly the outcome will be remains to be seen but we are led to believe that it will be an exemption for recreational fishing for Mako Sharks (only) to continue. What is unclear is whether the exemption will allow the harvest of Mako Sharks in line with state fisheries regulations which generally limit the catch to one or two sharks per person.

The amendments can expect a lengthy journey through the parliament and senate and we are unlikely to see a resoluton before April. In the mean time, gamefishing tournaments hosted by Game Fishing Association affiliated clubs have been granted an interim exemption from prosecution under the new listing. This means that anglers in these tournaments are permitted to target Mako Sharks. It is also unclear whether this exemption extends to the average recreational fisher fishing for a feed or sport. In earlier statements, Minister Garrett suggested that it was "highly unlikely" that recreational fishers would be prosecuted under the new listing.

It was only through sustained pressure by recreational fishers writing to their local federal MPs and participating in petitions that this amendment has come about and it is striking evidence that the voices of recreational fishers do count.

Recfish Australia thanks all fishos for their support and believes that in the next few months, it is vital that our voices continue to be heard.