DOC tightens controls on shark cage diving

The Department of Conservation (DOC) has tightened permit conditions for commercial shark cage diving on Stewart Island/Rakiura and will increase monitoring.

The shark cage diving season begins today. DOC says it will continue watching the two cage diving operators on Stewart Island to ensure the activity is not harming sharks or causing increased risk to people.

Both operators are on their last warning after one of them breached conditions last season over throw bait use. If either operator breaks the conditions again this season, they will lose their permit.

DOC introduced permits for cage diving last year to manage risks from this activity, which was unregulated before 2014. DOC has completed a review of the cage diving season from December 2014 to June 2015. It has renewed the permits issued to the two operators for the 2015-16 season, but with a number of changes.

Changes made to these permits include tighter controls on bait and berley (ground fish) use, and limiting operators to using one vessel a day.

There will be more monitoring trips than last season. Observers will regularly check the operators, particularly around methods of attracting sharks. Observers will be both uniformed staff and ‘secret shoppers’. They will ensure the operators are following permit conditions.

DOC’s Operations Director for the Southern South Island Allan Munn said, “We’ll be keeping a close eye on whether operators are adhering to the conditions.”

The permits continue to limit operations to one site near Motunui/Edwards Island, 8km from Stewart Island, and also have ruled for operations that prevent sharks from being fed and rewarded around people.

Meanwhile, an international review of shark cage diving contracted by DOC indicates there is no evidence shark cage diving increases the risk to water users. The author is world shark cage diving expert Barry Bruce from Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.
Mr Munn said the review gives DOC the best available information to guide management. It looks at global shark cage diving activities, scientific research and management practices. Read the review here www.doc.govt.nz/documents/conservation/marine-and-coastal/shark-cage-diving/csiro-report.pdf

DOC will review the permits in August next year. The department will consult with stakeholders, iwi and the public through the 2015-16 season and the August 2016 review.

DOC will continue research into shark movements and numbers around Stewart Island.

ENDS

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