Editorial: Calm food chain exodus

A bronze whaler shark was spotted cruising down Papmoa Beach over the weekend.

I heard someone yell "shark" just after I stepped out of the water.

A large fin popped out of the water in the shallows and moved slowly down Papamoa Beach.

It was Saturday afternoon and the few swimmers still in the water quickly made it to shore.

Shark experts say bronze whalers do not usually present a threat to bathers because they are specialised fish eaters.

Still, no one was taking any chances.

It's the sort of thing that could fill you with dread but I was surprised there was no panic - just a sense of excitement. A mother got her children out of the water and then a group of us made our way to the waterline.

We watched the bronze whaler as it gracefully made its way down the beach before turning out to sea. It appeared oblivious to our presence on the shore.

It's rare to see a shark up close. I found it fascinating. It was also interesting to see the reaction of children on the beach. Clearly it was better than any nature show they might see on television.

From the safety of shore, no one appeared to be frightened of the impressive creature or annoyed that its arrival had cut short their swim.

Consciously or unconsciously we know that by venturing into the sea we are entering their territory and that they are at the top of the food chain.

For me, at least, there was an acknowledgment that the sea was its domain and that, after everyone had made it safely out of the water, it was a rare opportunity to see an apex predator in its natural habitat.

It made my day.