Hon Dr Nick Smith
Minister of Conservation
EMBARGOED UNTIL 2 PM
28 February 2014
Media Statement
Permits to be required for shark cage tourism
Tourism businesses viewing great white sharks will be required to have a permit in the same way as for whale, dolphin
and seal watching, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today following meetings with the tourism operators and
concerned divers on Stewart Island.
“There is a place for tourism operators that enable people to see these magnificent great white sharks in the wild, but
a permit system is needed to ensure it is done responsibly,” Dr Smith said.
About 100 great white sharks frequent the Foveaux Strait each year between December and June to feed off the large local
fur seal breeding colony. Over the past few years, new businesses have developed that see tourists placed in a viewing
cage off the boat.
“These fledgling tourism businesses have developed in an environment lacking appropriate controls. The concern of the
divers is that the use of burley and feeding to attract the sharks to the viewing cages will change the behaviour of the
great whites to expect food around boats – putting divers at greater risk. There is also concern from wildlife experts
that the sharks are being encouraged with the use of bait to attack the cage, causing permanent injury to the sharks.
“Tourism operators interacting with wildlife need to be cautious of changing the behaviour of wildlife. That is why DOC
regulates boats viewing dolphins, whales and seals. The concerns and problems around these great white shark tourism
businesses have developed to the point where regulation is necessary.
“DOC will be writing to the shark cage tourism operators notifying them of the requirement to have a permit under the
Wildlife Act. The Department will also be consulting the Stewart Island community on the details of permit conditions to
ensure these tourism operators do not change the behaviour nor harm these great white sharks.
“The issue over great white sharks is causing tension within the small Stewart Island community, between those
supporting the tourism operators and those concerned about the risk to divers and others from shark attacks. There are
reports of people deliberately killing the great whites even though they are a protected species. The solution lies in
tightening the rules around shark tourism operators and taking a firm approach against anybody deliberately killing
these sharks.”
ENDS