The Conservation Report

Recent news from Australia reports that river sharks from the genus Glyphis have been confirmed swimming in the waters of Top End, which is Aussie (Australian) slang referring to the very northern part of the Northern Territory. DNA analysis was used to “clarify different species of the shark.” Perhaps new species of river shark will be discovered via these data gathered from DNA analysis or future attempts. Furthermore, public awareness campaigns coupled with DNA work may yield even more river sharks. From ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation):

Dr McMahon says very little is known about the shark, and they are often confused with bull sharks.

“We can’t really draft a management plan without further information, but the fact we were able to confirm the suspicion that there were two species using DNA gives us good solid grounding to look at each species individually.

“With the large number of people out there fishing, it would be good to get the information out there across to the general public and through to the commercial fishers as to what a river shark does look like and how it is different from a bull shark and if they catch one, just put it back.”

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