This record describes the sample collection location for grey nurse shark as part of NESP MB Project A9 - Grey Nurse Shark CK-MR Population Estimate – East Coast. The data attached to this record describes the locations and vB parameters of tissue samples collected between December 2002 and April 2017. Sequencing data will be added to ALA as it becomes available. See https://fieldcapture.ala.org.au/project/index/b3376517-e418-4a38-ba45-63faae7ed8be for updates.

This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub Research Plan 2023 project "Eastern Grey Nurse Shark population abundance and trend". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata. -------------------- Grey nurse sharks are a nationally significant threatened species, with Australia’s eastern population listed as Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act. The Recovery Plan for the Grey Nurse Shark identifies the need for robust estimates of abundance, population trend, age structure, survival and range, particularly where conservation measures such as spatial closures and protection of aggregation sites are in place. This project refined abundance and trend estimates for the eastern Australian grey nurse shark population by combining biopsy sampling, genetic analysis, stereo-video length measurement and statistical modelling. Tissue samples from more than 300 sharks were analysed using close-kin mark-recapture methods to identify family relationships and estimate adult population size. Stereo-video measurements supported improved age estimation using Australian-specific length-at-age models, reducing reliance on overseas growth data. Findings from the project provide a stronger evidence base for Australian and New South Wales government decision-making on grey nurse shark recovery and conservation. Refined estimates of adult abundance and population trend (described in the Final Project Report) enables reduced uncertainty in recovery assessments, and supports evaluation of current management arrangements, including spatial protections for aggregation sites. Outputs • Final project report [written]