Great white shark could become protected species

Conservation Minister Chris Carter has floated the idea of making the great white shark a protected species with potential fines of up to $250,000 for killing one of the man-eating species.

Mr Carter today released a discussion paper canvassing options for protecting the great white shark in line with international conventions.

"Great white sharks are celebrity predators of the ocean. They are an object of fear and fascination, but sadly there is growing evidence that this magnificent and rare species is in trouble internationally," Mr Carter said.

Reported sightings of a great white shark off the western coast of the North Island have cleared a number of beaches in recent times.

There have been nine documented non-fatal attacks on divers, surfers and kayakers since 1990. The last recorded fatal attack in New Zealand was in the 1960s.

Mr Carter said that in 2000, great white sharks were listed as globally vulnerable on the International Red List of Threatened Species amid fears that commercial and recreational fishing were seriously reducing their numbers.

Great whites were protected in South Africa and the United States, and Australia has also moved to protect the species.

"To date New Zealand has not, despite being a party to the International Convention of Migratory Species, which obliges us to do so," Mr Carter said.

"The Government believes it is time we thought seriously about playing our part in what is a global conservation issue."

The paper suggests a number of ways of protecting the great white shark including using fisheries legislation and/or the Wildlife Act.

Under the Act, anyone killing or attempting to kill a protected species is liable for a fine of up to $250,000 or a maximum of six months' imprisonment.

Accidental catching of a protected ocean species is a defence as long as the catch is reported.

- NZPA