DON'T go fishing for a great white - you might get more than you bargain for, shark experts warn.

Hamilton's Department of Conservation (DOC) marine scientist Clinton Duffy said the 5.5m shark that attacked three anglers' in their boat last week should be left alone. "Don't provoke it ... a big animal like that can get pretty excited and aggressive, especially when it's fed," Mr Duffy said.  It was illegal for commercial fishermen to target great whites, but not for recreational anglers. The Ministry of Fisheries was considering options to protect the species, he said. People should not hunt great whites because females had a short reproductive history, making the population vulnerable, he said.

"They're a predator, but no different to lions."

The horror movie Jaws had given the species a bad reputation, he said. Although the shark had not been spotted since the attack, it did not mean it had left Taranaki's shores. "There's a chance that is had found a feeding ground and has decided to stay for a while." Great whites were regularly spotted on the North Island's west coast from October to March, when other fish moved inshore to breed, and could stay for up to three months, he said. Mr Duffy advised surfers and swimmers who encountered a shark to stay calm.

"Get ashore as quickly as possible with minimal fuss. Causing commotion may stimulate an attack, because it mimics injured prey." Divers should stay on the seabed and find cover because a shark can mistake an ascending diver for the silhouette of a seal.  "Sharks are naturally curious and may circle a diver for up to 30 minutes, but will eventually lose interest," he said.

LEAVING A PERFECTLY GOOD BOAT . . .

. . . and jumping into a cage to swim with Great White's is something that few people probably see themselves doing at any point in their lives. Others would probably consider such an event as the highlight of their time on this little blue marble we call Earth and guess which category I fall into??

To see a Great White is an unforgettable experience, from within the confines of your cell (shark cage) you begin to feel the unease of your surroundings. As the Great White approaches the knots and intensity of what you are seeing begins to raise alarm bells deep within your brain. You feel so insignificant as the Great White sails by you with the greatest ease, you wonder what is going through those dark black eyes as it looks at you! Your instinct is too want to get out of the water, but that would represent a risk. You have to understand that these animals do not prey upon HUMANS, if they did the amount of attacks would be a lot higher for sure. More people die each year from accidents involving driving into a Deer. So are we right to fear this animal?... The Great White while armed with an array of senses well beyond our own is a curious animal. It mouths items it does not understand, that is where we fall victim, the human body can not withstand the kind of investigative tactics used by these sharks. So not to get off track viewing them from within a cage is safe! Even when the sharks bump or bite the cage, like I said they are trying to figure out what you are. The Great White is the only Apex Predator to not be tamed or kept in captivity, this magnificent animal is protected here in the US as well as Australia and South Africa. The biggest threat to sharks is MAN. Around 100 MILLION sharks are killed every year, now think about that for a second... Then understand that these sharks are killed not for meat but there fins, shark fin soup is an oriental delicacy. The price for fins is high, which is why so many sharks are culled, they cut the fin and throw the shark alive back into the ocean to die. The process of finning can be improved and should be regulated. Sharks are slow breeders and can not keep up with our demand. So I urge you to help protect not only the Great White which so far is not a fin victim but all sharks, our oceans need them. To see a Great White is an amazing experience you for one will never forget........... Oh and try and see if that theme tune does not appear in your head when you see one.....

So, in order to dive with Great White , there are several steps you must accomplish. I'm often asked how one can dive with a Great White - here's your chance to find out how! Click here
 

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