Great white shark tag coming to a beach near you
Date: 03 November 2008
If you're going to the beach this weekend, keep your eyes peeled and you may be part of a great discovery. The Department of Conservation (DOC) is looking for a tag that was once attached to a great white shark, which may be washed up on the Manawatu-Whanganui coastline.
The tag is the size and shape of a hand-held microphone. It was attached to a 2.5m female great white shark, tagged on 19th April 2008 at the Chatham Islands. The tags are set to "pop off" the shark and float to the surface after a pre-determined time (six months for this shark). It is thought that the tag is heading this way. The last transmission was sent two days ago, at which time the tag was approximately 240 kilometres off the Manawatu coast.
Tag and applicator
The tag has already transmitted some data about where the shark has been over the past six months. However, there is a lot more information recorded in the tag, such as dive times, depths, and water temperatures. If the tag can be retrieved, it will provide a wealth of information about this mysterious creature.
Little is known about the population, preferred habitat, and migration patterns of great white sharks. The shark tagging project is an international effort to help scientists understand more about these creatures. From what DOC scientists already know, it seems there is a serious risk of extinction for great white sharks. The main threats appear to be the result of human actions, such as decline in the abundance of its prey, commercial and sports fisheries for trophies and degradation of the shark's habitat. The shark tagging project will gather data to help estimate what percentage of the shark population is being killed, and what chances it has to recover from these losses.
When they hear the words 'great white shark', many people conjure up images of gory shark attacks like scenes from the blockbuster Jaws films. Local DOC Biodiversity Manager, Vivienne McGlynn, points out that while white sharks can be dangerous, they are magnificent creatures with a vital role to play in the marine environment. "White sharks are apex predators, helping to control the populations of important prey species" she says. "They tend to eat larger animals, such as small sharks, stingrays, penguins, dolphins, seals and sea lions". While they are known to be curious about human behaviour, there have not been any fatal attacks recorded since the 1960s. However, Mrs McGlynn stresses that the risk should not be underestimated; "Nine divers, surfers and kayakers have been injured by white sharks over the past two decades" she explains, "divers working around seal colonies are most at risk".
Whether you fear them or find them fascinating, great white sharks are much less of a threat to humans than we are to them. You can do your bit to help reduce our impact on this species by keeping your eye out for the tag if you visit the beach this weekend. If you do stumble upon it please contact your local DOC office in Tremaine Ave Palmerston North or call DOC HOTline 0800 362 468.