Shark research team heads south

Uncovering the secrets of one of the most feared creatures of the sea, the great white shark, is the aim of a research team heading to Stewart island this week.

The combined Department of Conservation (DOC), National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (Niwa) and Auckland University team will attempt to learn more about the often much maligned creature, the white shark, also known as the great white or white pointer.

Research will be conducted from the DOC vessel Hananui from March 20 until April 1 around the Titi Islands located off Stewart Island's northeast coast, as weather permits.

Boat divers and kayakers have been advised to avoid the areas where the research is being conducted while the boat is on station and for at least 24 hours afterwards as the team will be using berley (a mixture of minced fish and fish oil) to attract sharks.

"Fragments of berley may settle to the bottom and continue to hold a shark or sharks at the site for several hours after berleying has ceased", said DOC shark expert Clinton Duffy.

The principal study sites will be Bench and Edwards Islands. The research team will shift between these islands and other sites depending on weather conditions and the presence or absence of sharks.

"We will relay the location of the study vessel daily via local fishermen's radio, to alert any divers or kayakers," said Mr Duffy. "This information will be updated each time the vessel shifts site."

The waters around Stewart Island have long been recognised as a hot spot for white sharks in New Zealand. This is the fourth year the team has travelled south to undertake photo-identification and tagging in an attempt to learn more about this now protected species.

"Any tags deployed will be set to 'pop off' and float to the surface after a pre-determined time, usually around six to 12 months," said Mr Duffy. "The data transmitted from the shark will tell where it has travelled since tagging took place and, if the tag can be retrieved, will also provide a wealth of other information such as dive times, depths and water temperatures."