Sharks invade prime fishing spot

An invasion of marauding bronze whaler sharks is threatening the existence of one of the best areas in New Zealand for catching kingfish.

The source of numerous world record-breaking kingfish, the waters around Volkner Rocks, northwest of White Island in the eastern Bay of Plenty, have fallen victim to a plague of sharks, says fishing charterboat owner Rick Pollock.

Mr Pollock, who has fished in the area for 32 years, said there were literally hundreds of sharks in the area, ranging in weight from an estimated 40 kilograms to a massive 300kg.

The owner-operator of the Whakatane-based gamefishing launch Pursuit said there had always been bronze whalers in the wedge-shaped area cutting into the southwestern side of the Te Paepae o Aotea marine reserve.

But this year they had reached "plague proportions", attacking hooked gamefish much earlier in the season than before and making it virtually impossible to land an intact fish.

The fearsome sharks had become so aggressive, he would be reluctant to let spear fishermen into the water there.

"If you did that, you'd be asking for problems," Mr Pollock said.

"Previously they have become a hindrance in December or January, but we started our season in early October and had problems immediately.

"The situation has reached a crescendo because you can hook a nice fish, but it will be taken by sharks within a minute.

"On Tuesday we landed all that was left of a kingfish - the head - and there were 10 sharks in hot pursuit.

"Spear fishermen tell me they are not interested in entering the water there any more. Not only is the area unproductive, they're intimidated because these sharks aren't showing much respect for humans.

"Without doubt they live there and are getting more prolific -- it's just fortunate the problem doesn't seem to be getting transferred to other areas around White Island."

- NZPA