Auction of great white shark's jaws could be last

The auction of a great white shark's jaws by a Raglan fisherman could be the last trophy sale if the species gets protection under New Zealand law.

Warwick Harris has put the metre-wide shark jaws on internet auction site Trade Me with a $10,000 opening bid. The auction closes next Tuesday.

Mr Harris caught the 4.6m-long female shark accidentally in a net north of Raglan last October.

But Conservation Minister Chris Carter said if the species were declared protected, auctioning the jaws would be against the law.

"The fact someone is selling these jaws is the very reason to deter trophy hunting, I don't think he should be able to sell it," Mr Carter said.

Under a Department of Conservation and Ministry of Fisheries initial position paper this year, protection options were considered for the sharks.

Mr Carter said it was not clear where selling great white parts would fit in the final policy.

US television had reported the catch and Mr Harris had received inquiries from Scotland.

The shark had a 1.52m-long fur seal intact in its stomach.

Great white populations are thought to be in decline but little is known about them.