Australian Environmental Minister Peter Garrett--yeah, the old lead singer from Midnight Oil--was slated to list three endangered Shark species for federal fishing protection, but he bent over to recreational and charter Shark fishing operators. The species that were supposed to be protected were the Longfin Mako, Shortfin Mako, and Porbeagle Shark. All three species are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. These Sharks have also been internationally listed as protected under the international Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). As a signatory to the treaty Australia is legally obligated to protect the species listed in the treaty. Under the urging pressure and influence of fishing interests Peter Garrett is delaying these protections as long as possible. Fishermen are claiming that Australia's Shark populations are entirely separate populations from the vulnerable Sharks. This is a dangerous legal premise and hard to prove scientifically. For the sake of biodiversity, declining Shark populations, and Australia's remarkable wildlife in general, Peter Garrett should grab hold of his sagging bald testicles and do the right thing.

This is the thing that CMS wants to regulate.

For more on Peter Garrett and his failures as an Environmental Minister:

Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie, No No No!

Or just Google him. You will see.

--Sharky