Shark sightings prompt warning to swimmers

A warning has been issued to swimmers after more sightings of a large great white shark off the Taranaki coast.

The Department of Conservation (Doc) confirmed yesterday there was at least one very large great white moving up and down the coast around New Plymouth.

"This makes sense, because our fur seal population has just finishing pupping -- and no doubt the great white has scoffed quite a few of them," Doc programme manager Bryan Williams said.

"With that in mind, we strongly recommend that swimmers at places such as Fitzroy Beach remain aware that there is a very large shark off the shore,"

A week ago, people fishing from a New Plymouth-based charter boat got a fright when the great white swam directly under their boat.

A few days earlier, two competitors in a yacht race off Port Taranaki watched in horror as the shark -- its fin clearly out of the water -- swam between their small craft.

Surf Life Saving Taranaki development officer Guy Honnor said he had not received any reports of shark sightings.

"If there were any sightings, we would immediately close the affected beach," he said.

"Meanwhile, we strongly recommend that people swim at patrolled beaches, remain within the patrolled zones, and not go too far out -- stay within the surf zone."

Doc itself has postponed a two-week dive survey programme due to start this week due to safety reasons, Mr Williams said.

- NZPA