DOC Looking For Data-Carrying Shark Tag

November 4, 2008

Release from: Mervyn Dykes
Manawatu Standard (New Zealand)

Somewhere out there is a great white shark that could have the Manawatu-Wanganui coastline tagged - in a manner of speaking.

On April 19 a 2.5-metre female shark at the Chatham Islands was fitted with a recording device the size and shape of a hand-held microphone.

The tag was designed to "pop off" and float to the surface after six months of data gathering reports the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Now the tag - probably sans shark - is heading this way. The last transmission was sent two days ago, at which time the tag was about 240 kilometres off the Manawatu coast.

The tag has already transmitted some data about where the shark has been over the past six months. However, there is more information recorded in the tag, such as dive times, depths, and water temperatures, said DOC's biodiversity manager in Palmerston North, Vivienne McGlynn, yesterday.

Although great whites have been tagged as "nasties" ever since the Jaws movies, little is known about their population, preferred habitat, and migration patterns.

Mrs McGlynn said the shark- tagging project was an international effort to help scientists understand more about these creatures which could be facing a risk of extinction.

The main threats appear to be the result of human actions, such as decline in the abundance of its prey, commercial and sports fisheries for trophies and degradation of the shark's habitat.

While white sharks can be dangerous, they are magnificent creatures with a vital role to play in the marine environment, she said.

"White sharks are apex predators, helping to control the populations of important prey species. They tend to eat larger animals, such as small sharks, stingrays, penguins, dolphins, seals and sea lions."

No fatal shark attacks have been recorded since the 1960s. However, Mrs McGlynn said the risk should not be underestimated.

"Nine divers, surfers and kayakers have been injured by white sharks over the past two decades," she said.

"Divers working around seal colonies are most at risk."

* Anyone who finds the tag during a beachwalk should telephone DOC in Palmerston North at 350-9700, or call the DOC hotline 0800 362 468.