It’s been a while since I’ve snorkelled locally. I got a bit of an ear infection for a short while – reminder to thoroughly use Aquaear between swims – and a combination of bad weather and overseas trips hasn’t helped. It was lovely to hit the sea today in a balmy 19 degrees. The forecast was for light winds increasing to strong northerly mid-morning. Direct northerly isn’t great at Ricketts, since it blows down the bay (fine if it’s got a bit of easterly in it) so we went out early. Our objective was to look for Port Jackson Sharks at Ricketts Point as there had been lots of records lately.
Port Jackson Sharks at Ricketts Point
We weren’t disappointed. There are lots and lots of Port Jackson Sharks at the moment. We don’t know much about the movement of ‘PJs’ in the bay. Scientists have discovered that NSW females congregate in deep water in Bass Strait. We also know from tagging studies that NSW animals migrate up to 1,000 km into this region. The females take 12-14 years to reach sexual maturity and may live for 30 or so years. We don’t know where the Port Phillip Bay animals go but the bay is certainly a nursery and they probably follow similar migration patterns. The two animals in the photos below are males. Males are a lot smaller than females and they migrate at different times and to different places.
So to see these charismatic animals in our local national park is wonderful. Other deep water migrants such as Elephant Fish have been lost, probably due to fishing pressure in the last century. Port Jackson Sharks are important predators, balancing the ecosystem and keeping our coastal ecosystems intact.
Where to see Port Jackson Sharks at Ricketts Point
Right now, they are everywhere. If you go out early in the morning you have the best chance of seeing them swimming out in the open – right now, it’s extremely likely. Other times, they rest below overhangs. There are crevices in the reefs to the north and south of teahouse. It’s just a matter of searching.
The secret life of Port Jackson Sharks video
Scientist Sue Newson has been studying the secret life of Port Jackson Sharks in Jervis Bay for 20 years. In this video she shares some of the secret life of these enigmatic sea creatures.
