Grey nurse shark potential aggregation sites (NESP MaC 4.15)
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 and resources
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Download aggregation site data in a range of formats via OGC WFS.HTML Open
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MAP - Grey nurse shark potential aggregation sitesHTML Open
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Bradford R W, Harasti D, Louden B, Westlake EL, Stephenson S, Kilpatrick C, Dwyer R, Cameron J, Wanganeen H, Sherman S, Ierodiaconou D, Travers M, Braccini M,…HTML Open
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Chidlow, J., Gaughan, D. and McAuley, R. 2006. Identification of Western Australian Grey Nurse Shark aggregation sites, Final Report to the Australian…HTML Open
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Hoschke, A. M., Whisson, G. J., Haulsee, D. (2023). Population distribution, aggregation sites and seasonal occurrence of Australia’s western population of the…HTML Open
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Otway NM and Louden BM, 2025. Occupation of aggregation sites and migratory movements of the Grey Nurse Shark (Carcharias taurus) off eastern Australia. NSW…PDF Open
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License GraphicPNG Open
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Additional information
| Temporal extent | 2024-03-01 – 2025-06-30 |
|---|---|
| Date (creation) | 2026-06-05 |
| Status | completed |
| Update frequency | notPlanned |
| Metadata language | en |
| License | Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 |
| Source metadata | ISO 19115 XML |
| Last updated | 2026-11-05 |
| Created | 2026-11-05 |
| API | package_show |