No fear for shark challenge

For Petersham local Cate Faehrmann, the question which begs asking is a simple one. Does she have her life insurance sorted out?

It may, at first, appear an odd line of inquiry for the Executive Director of the Nature Conservation Council. But all starts to reveal itself when one realises Ms Faehrmann is part of the inaugural Shark Swim Challenge, an initiative of the Council to help raise awareness of the plight of sharks around the globe.

To be held in May and June next year, participants will travel to southern Africa to interact with Great White and Whale sharks, meet with experts in the field, and engage in conservation work. The project will also help raise funds for the Council’s local marine projects, including protection of the critically-endangered Grey Nurse Shark. Part of the experience will involve snorkelling with Whale sharks, and cage-diving with a shiver of Great Whites.

According to Ms Faehrmann, shark numbers have declined around 90 per cent worldwide, with the coasts of NSW by no means immune. “We hear from divers telling us anecdotal evidence that shark numbers are at worryingly low levels, even in marine parks. And if they’re anything like worldwide numbers, it’s a very worrying trend.”

One of the Challenge’s aims is to raise awareness of the plight of sharks in export, and in particular the effects of a brutal practice known as ‘shark finning’. “There’s is increased demand for shark fin soup, which is making fishing in NSW increasingly lucrative,” she said. “’Shark finning’ – where the fishermen slice the fin off the shark, and then throw the shark back into the ocean alive, where it drowns – is illegal. But we know it still goes on.”

Ms Faehrmann has now been working with the Council for five years. “I always had a love of wildlife, particularly Australian wildlife, so it was a natural move for me to see if I could protect it and conserve it for a living,” she said.

And what of swimming with the sharks – is she looking forward to it? “I’m excited about potentially swimming with whale sharks – slightly nervous about the Great Whites though!” Ms Faehrmann said.

It’s a safe bet that’s nothing on what her insurer feels.