Pauamac5 Supports Locals’ Plea

PauaMac5 completely understands the concern of the Steward Island community and supports the sentiments expressed in the letter sent to the Minister for Conservation.

Over 130 Stewart Island residents have sent a formal letter of complaint regarding shark cage dive operations in Foveaux Strait.

Many locals feel the Department of Conservation has not done enough to protect both the great white sharks and humans in the area.

Storm Stanley, Chairman of the industry representative group PauaMAC5, said the issue was bigger than just protecting paua divers and a change in shark behaviour was a threat to all Stewart Islanders who use the area.

“We urge the Minister for Conservation to take the locals concerns seriously and reiterate that the minister should withhold the permits for a year to allow time for this to be sorted out properly.”
Mr Stanley noted that the Minister’s decision on this matter sets a precedent for similar GWSCDO’s (Great White Shark Cage Diving Operations) around the country.
“We wonder what permit conditions the Minister might consider for GWSCDO’s in Kaikoura to make them compatible with seal and dolphin watching operations.”

ENDS

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