Critically Endangered Shark, Called The 'Labrador Of The Sea,' Rebounds In Australia

Critically Endangered Shark, Called The 'Labrador Of The Sea,' Rebounds In Australia

Critically Endangered Shark, Called The 'Labrador Of The Sea,' Rebounds In Australia Modern shark conservation can largely be traced back to Australia’s grey nurse shark. In 1984, the gentle giant became the first protected shark in history when the government of New South Wales declared it a protected species.  Today, the grey nurse shark — widely considered the most docile and friendly shark species in the world — has similar protections throughout Australia, South Africa, and Namibia.  It’s been a long and harrowing journey for the shark, which is one of Australia’s most endangered marine species. After being nearly hunted to extinction in the 1950s, the population struggled to recover in the decades since.  According to the Independent, a survey from 2000 estimated that their numbers in New South Wales (NSW) dwindled down to as low as 292. David Harasti, a senior research scientist at the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, said the sharks have earned their reputa…