DEAR News Of The Area,

A RESPONSE to ‘The great shark debate’ article in the 14 February edition.

Recently an Eden-based professional fisherman long lining for gummy sharks (flake) caught seven boxes i.e. 224kg and 60, yes 60, great whites… all 6-8 ft.

This did considerable damage to the 10-plus km of line.

While this clearly is an isolated incident it is well known that Stockton Beach is a breeding ground for great whites and so similar proliferations of great whites may actually be extant giving consideration to reassessing the “stringent conservation” referred to by Kate Shelton.

Data from professionals might readily be available.

Best regards,
Joe WERNER,
Bonny Hills.