The Great White shark is amongst the endangered species

DIVERS are being urged to take part in the Great Australian Shark Count.

The Australian Underwater Federation, which represents divers and snorkellers, will gather data about numbers of types of sharks in a bid to protect threatened species.

At risk of extinction are the grey nurse, speartooth, freshwater saw fish, green saw fish, great white and deepwater dog fish. Scientists hope the project will help them keep track of numbers so they can be better managed and understood.

There is evidence numbers are falling dramatically due to a boom in commercial shark fishing. Fishermen can earn as much as $100 a kilogram for the fins, which are in demand on the Asian market.