Grey nurse shark potential aggregation sites (NESP MaC 4.15)
Updated: 2026-10-26
This dataset describes grey nurse shark (Carcharias taurus) listed, recognised and candidate aggregation sites in Australian waters, together with supporting individual acoustic-detection summaries from monitored aggregation sites. It consolidates previously documented site-level information on known, listed and candidate aggregation areas with time-series evidence of acoustically tagged shark detections. The project reviewed existing information on grey nurse shark aggregation sites and developed a revised definition for assessing aggregation status. Under this definition, an aggregation site is a discrete area where multiple grey nurse sharks are observed on a regular or predictable basis and where one or more behavioural functions may be inferred, including migration, resting, reproduction, feeding or undefined aggregation. The project also collected new survey and monitoring evidence from selected areas of potential grey nurse shark use, including Barwon Banks and the Hards in Queensland, Outer Gibber Reef in the Hunter Marine Park, and potential habitat in Gippsland, Victoria. These newly surveyed areas were not classified as confirmed aggregation sites as further monitoring is required to assess whether they support regular or predictable use by multiple grey nurse sharks. The data provided by this record include: • Aggregation-site data: a consolidated table of listed, recognised and potential grey nurse shark aggregation sites and associated information. • Individual detection data: collated acoustic telemetry detection summaries for tagged grey nurse sharks at monitored aggregation sites.
Data
- COLLATED DATA - Grey nurse shark potential aggregation sites
- COLLATED DATA - Repeated acoustic tag detections of Grey nurse sharks
- MaC_4_15_GNS_aggregation_sites
- MaC_4_15_GNS_aggregation_sites
- Final project report
- View aggregation sites in the interactive Seamap Australia portal.
- Related publication
- Related publication
- Related publication
- Full metadata link
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- {"title":"NESP MaC Project 4.15 - Grey nurse shark aggregations, 2024-2025 (CSIRO, NSW DPI)","recordAbstract":"This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub Research Plan 2024 project \"Grey Nurse Shark aggregations\". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata.\n--------------------\n\nGrey nurse sharks (Carcharias taurus) are protected in Australian Commonwealth waters. Under the EPBC Act, the eastern Australian population is listed as Critically Endangered, while the western Australian population is listed as Vulnerable. The species aggregates at particular sites along migration routes, but existing definitions and criteria for “key aggregation sites” require refinement to support consistent assessment across eastern and western Australia.\n\nThis project collated existing information on recognised grey nurse shark aggregation sites and potential new sites where sharks have been observed to gather. It reviewed occupancy patterns, existing survey evidence and western population data to refine the definition of a key aggregation site and develop criteria for assessing whether sites should be listed, delisted or prioritised for further investigation.\n\nField and data activities focused on areas where information was limited or where potential new aggregation sites had been identified. These included surveys in Victorian waters near Corner Inlet using ROV and eDNA methods in partnership with Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation; community engagement with dive, fishing and freediving groups to improve reporting of observations; an initial BRUV survey of a reef system in Commonwealth waters in Hunter Marine Park; expanded acoustic receiver coverage at Barwon Banks in Queensland; and review of potential aggregation sites in Western Australia.\n\nThe project outputs provided Commonwealth and state management agencies with a clearer, more defensible basis for identifying and assessing grey nurse shark aggregation sites. The resulting information supported consistent evaluation of existing and potential sites, prioritisation of future surveys, and improved conservation planning for both eastern and western grey nurse shark populations.\n\nOutputs\n• Spatial information on key Grey Nurse Shark aggregation sites [dataset]\n• Final project report [written]"}
