July–August 2015 27DESTINATIONS
JUSTIN GILLIGAN
In the company of sharks
H
IDDEN FROM view in the
Pacifi c Ocean, endangered grey
nurse sharks visit a complex
highway of rocky reefs during their
annual migration. These sharks –
which were the subject of our fundraiser
in the previous issue – typically mate in
NSW in spring, after which females
migrate north to southern Queensland.
Here they spend about six months away
from sexually mature males, before
returning south to NSW in late winter
and early spring, where they give birth
at a series of sites.
At the centre of this distribution
range is Port Stephens. Near this
natural harbour, on the coast of the
NSW Hunter Region, are sprawling
reefs where tropical and temperateIn the waters off Port Stephens, divers come year-round to experience a
vibrant realm of reefs inhabited by endangered eastern grey nurse sharks.currents collide to form a shark aggrega-
tion hotspot. Here, groups of grey nurse
sharks shelter within steep-walled gut-
ters and under rocky overhangs among
the corals, and it’s not uncommon for
divers to encounter males and immature
females year-round.
Decorated with a diverse array of
sponges and invertebrate life, these reefs
are also home to other charismatic
marine species, including the weedy
seadragon, giant cuttlefi sh and blue
grouper. In recent years, hundreds of
divers have been drawn to these waters.
Some of the most popular sites are amid
the gnarled nooks and crannies off
Broughton Island, and are suitably
named Shark Gutters, Looking Glass,
East Head and North Rock.One advantage for novice divers is
that, compared with other popular grey
nurse reefs, these areas are at shallow
depths and easily reached.
“North Rock is fantastic and I’ve had
some amazing days at the Looking
Glass,” says Emma Challen, a local
diving guide. “It’s a huge crack that runs
through the island and the light is just
awesome. During one memorable dive,
we had 20 sharks circling among a giant
school of yellowtail scad when a massive
bull ray came and swam through the
middle,” she says. To dive with the grey
nurse sharks off Broughton Island
should be on every diver’s bucket list,
argue locals, as these sites must be seen
to be believed.
JUSTIN GILLIGANCoastal cruising. Learn more about the sharks of
Port Stephens on the AG Adventures TV series, show-
ing on Channel Nine and WIN in July. Full details at:
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/AGadventures.Port Stephens
SYDNEYNEW SOUTH WALES圀漀爀氀搀䴀愀最猀⸀渀攀琀圀漀爀氀搀䴀愀最猀⸀渀攀琀
WorldMags.net