The great white shark is a protected species
Great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias), also known as white pointers, have been fully protected in New Zealand since 1 April 2007. Penalties for deliberately killing or harming a great white shark include fines of up to $250,000 and six months imprisonment.
As one of the world’s hotspots for great white sharks, this protection is an important step towards reducing threats to this globally vulnerable species, which is in decline throughout the world.
The Department of Conservation is currently working alongside New Zealand and international scientists to learn more about this little-known species in the hope that this information will further aid conservation efforts.
Weighing in at up to 2 and a half tons, female great white sharks grow to a massive 6.4 metres, while the slightly smaller males are no lightweights themselves, growing up to 5.5 metres in length.
The great white shark is a widely but sparsely distributed top predator with a very low reproductive potential and high vulnerability to human-related threats.
The Department of Conservation undertakes research into the movements and biology of this species in collaboration with NIWA, and Ramon Bonfit of Shark-Tracker.
Learn how you can help protect great white sharks.
The value of conservation
Animals of the Chatham Islands
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