Shark diving tourism industry defends allegations
Southland, 7 December 2014 - The shark cage diving tourism industry is fighting back on allegations made against it by
the paua diving industry.
In February 2014 the Department of Conservation announced that permits would be required from 1 December to dive with
sharks in coastal waters, coinciding with the start of the diving season at Stewart Island. Along with this requirement
however, the shark diving tourism industry are once again facing a campaign by PauaMac5 to shut down their
eco-businesses.
Allegations of modified shark behaviour through feeding and diver-shaped dummies have resulted in shark dive businesses
concerned that these spurious claims have been brought to a select committee. “These claims are unfounded and based on
only rumour and hearsay,” says Peter Scott, of Shark Dive NZ. “Our company has worked closely with DOC and other
stakeholders to ensure the safety of all concerned, with the sharks being the top of this list”.
Claims that paua divers face an elevated risk of shark attack as a result of cage diving operations are false. “There is
no scientific research conducted which indicates that these sharks have been conditioned by cage diving tourism
worldwide,” says Mr Scott. “The risk has always been there and always will be. We spend such little time at the Island
it would be impossible to condition an apex predator. There are different sharks that come through every day that we
have never seen before”.
PauaMac5 has indicated it would like a year-long moratorium issued to allow time for study to be conducted on the
impacts of cage diving on the Great Whites.
“The paua industry is fragmented on what they’re trying to achieve here,” says Mr Scott. “First they are worried for
their health and safety, then they are worried about recreational users, and now they’re concerned about conservation
measures for the sharks. Their mandate seems to change on a whim”.
Cage diving operations at Stewart Island have been operating seasonally since 2007.
ENDS