This shark assessment report has been prepared with the assistance of Australian, state and Northern Territory fisheries agencies and members of the Shark‐Plan Representative Group (SRG). The SRG was established to oversee and report on implementation of the NPOA operational strategy. This shark assessment report incorporates publicly available information and data from each jurisdiction on shark catch and management. This report also includes trade data produced by the FAO and Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The 2018 shark assessment report focuses on data between 2006–07 and 2014–15. Every attempt has been made to ensure that these data are accurate at the time of publication.

Much of the information presented in the 2001 and 2009 shark assessment reports remains unchanged and is not replicated in this report. This report uses standard Australian fish names.