Baby sharks found after strong tides in rock pools near Ahipara, Far North

The discovery of infant sharks in rock pools near Ahipara in the Far North has sparked wonder and concern among locals.

A group of school sharks made the rock pools in the Te Kōhanga/Tauroa area their temporary home after being brought into the pools by strong tides, people in the area say.

While monitoring the area, Lisa McNab of Ahipara Takiwā noticed splashes in the water – and discovered at least 15 young sharks swimming in the pools.

Ahipara Takiwā works at protecting coastal and marine areas and McNab said she was walking along the high tide mark picking up rubbish left by day trippers and boaties when she noticed the sharks.

Lisa McNab spotted the sharks this week.

“I stopped when I saw splashing at the rock pools and went closer and saw the sharks in the rock pools and I have been going regularly to check. On Tuesday there were about 15 and when I went last night [Thursday] there were about seven, five of the seven were in an adjacent pool ... it’s a stunning image, to see them so close.”

“There is about 20 metres of rock pool before the open sea. They are not hurting anyone and, hopefully, no one will hurt them.

“Two years ago, there were sharks in the same area. I am not sure if this is a natural thing they do.”

Sharks stranded at rock pools near Ahipara.

Ahipara resident Albert Rahiri said he was concerned about the sharks not having enough food. He was also worried about beachgoers who might not be aware they were there.

“The pools are huge, but they won’t hold enough fish to sustain them for a long period ... I had some snaps showing that they are already attacking each other, one of them with a chewed fin and severe scratches.

“Normally these pools cater for a lot of whānau, these would be where the tamariki [children] would be exploring and honing their hunter-gathering skills.”

Rahiri said he reached out to the Department of Conservation (DoC) and was told it could not assist because the sharks were not an endangered species.

However, he added, a fisherman did attempt to help the sharks. “He tried to get some with a long line and managed to get one back in the ocean.”

DoC senior science adviser, marine, Dr Karen Middlemiss, confirmed DoC had been made aware of the incident.

The group of school sharks (topes) were likely brought in by a high tide.

“Bronze whalers are very common in coastal areas in Northland where they come into pup over summer … Likely the tide brought them in,” she said.

“The matter has been referred to the Northland Regional Council as this is not a protected species or on public conservation land.”

Middlemiss added that should members of the public spot stranded sharks or other marine life they should contact a ranger at a local DoC office on phone 0800 DOC HOT or email sharks@doc.govt.nz.

Initially, DoC identified the sharks as bronze whalers but said on further inspection they were school sharks (also known as topes).