Shark warning after Māhia stranding

NZ Herald picture

The Department of Conservation (DoC)  issued a warning at the start of the holiday weeked for people to be cautious around the waters of Māhia Peninsula as the remains of stranded whales and dolphins could attract sharks.

A pod of about 45 false killer whales and bottlenose dolphins stranded the previous Sunday afternoon at Taylor’s Bay on Māhia Peninsula.

After an initial refloat, the pod restranded on a remote and inaccessible reef point about 1.5 km further south from Taylor’s Bay.

DoC, alongside its iwi partners, made the difficult decision to euthanise the animals.

An adult female false killer whale and calf and an adult bottlenose dolphin were towed to a burial site by iwi representatives.

The remaining animals were left for nature to take its course as it is a remote location.

DoC marine technical adviser Clinton Duffy said people should avoid swimming in the Taylors Bay and Māhia Beach area for now, as sharks may be attracted to the remains from the stranding.

“We want to alert the community that there is likely to be increased shark activity in the area,” he said.

“Several shark species feed on whale and dolphins, including their carcasses, and can be attracted to the site of whale strandings. These include sevengill sharks, blue sharks, tiger sharks and great white sharks.

“Research shows that great white sharks attracted to whale strandings exhibit accelerated swimming and increased rates of turning (indicators of foraging) up to three kilometres from the carcass.

“Avoiding the south-facing beaches around Māhia for now is a useful precaution.

“If you encounter a shark while swimming or diving and cannot identify it or are unfamiliar with shark behaviour, the best thing to do is leave the water quickly with as little commotion as possible.

“Let nearby beachgoers or boats know, as well as lifeguard patrols if they are present.”

The public can report sightings, captures, and strandings to DoC either anonymously via the Protected Species Catch App, via email sharks@doc.govt.nz, or by calling 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).