Observation of localised movements and residence times of the wobbegong shark Orectolobus halei at Fish Rock, NSW, Australia

Passive acoustic telemetry was used to assess the localised movements of seven individuals of the wobbegong shark Orectolobus halei for about two years at Fish Rock, NSW, Australia. Four of the seven sharks were detected for less than 40 days only; this was most likely due to tag loss, although emigration of these individuals cannot be dismissed. Three sharks were regularly detected for periods of 4, 10 and 20 months suggesting longer-term residency. Wobbegongs were mostly detected around the southern side of Fish Rock by one or two receivers. Diel patterns were also observed with a greater presence of sharks during daylight hours than at night. The long-term residency pattern displayed by three of the sharks suggests that temporal closures or marine protected areas may be effective tools for the management and conservation of local populations.