5m shark sighted off Goat Island marine reserve

By PATRICK GOWER


A warning has been posted at the Goat Island tourist mecca after sightings of a 5m shark feeding in its waters.

The Department of Conservation (DoC) has put up a sign after three reports of the shark at the marine reserve, north of Auckland, which attracts 250,000 visitors a year.

It was seen last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, on one occasion coming out of the water to snatch a penguin.

DoC spokesman Warwick Murray said the shark had been seen from the glass-bottomed boat that works the reserve and is believed to be in close to shore to give birth.

"We are not sure if it presents a threat to the public," he said. "They tend not to eat substantially when they are pregnant."

The type of shark had not been positively identified although there had been claims it was a great white.

Mr Murray said if the shark was not spotted in the next few days the warning sign would be removed. Letting the kids paddle around posed minimum risk.

"People need to make those judgments themselves. It is reasonable to let people know [a shark] was spotted around there so they can be cautious if they are anxious about that."

Glass-bottomed boat operator Ivan Blackwell said about a dozen people were on board when the shark was first spotted in Alphabet Bay, just out from the main channel where most people swim.

"We were watching the penguin when all of a sudden this big thing came out of the water and bang - just took it."

Mr Blackwell saw it further out to sea on Thursday and Auckland University researchers saw the shark near the reserve on Friday.

He could not identify it other than to say, "It's a big black thing with a big black fin on it".

He did not want the "chance sighting" to put people off swimming at the reserve, saying, "It is the Pacific Ocean after all - there are sharks in it".

"It hasn't been seen since Friday so it has probably headed on down to Auckland, where there is a bit more tucker."