Dive operators Shark Dive New Zealand and Shark Experience were granted two-year permits by the Department of Conservation to dive off Motunui/Edwards Island, a few kilometres from Stewart Island.
DOC Southern services director Allan Munn says the activities of operators will be reviewed after a year to ensure they are meeting the strict conditions imposed by the permits.
Conditions include a ban on feeding of the sharks or the use of decoys, controls on commercial filming and restricts viewing to one area off Motunui/Edwards Island.
Mr Munn says shark cage diving is an established tourism business and, when well managed, can help develop a better understanding of this protected species.
Great white sharks are a protected species and about 100 sharks frequent Foveaux Strait each year between December and June.
Some pāua divers have also expressed concerns that the operations may put nearby commercial divers at risk of shark attack.
DOC says the two year permits it is issuing will protect the sharks and minimise potential conflict with commercial pāua operations.
More details in tomorrow's Otago Daily Times.
