Sharks

Latest news

Treasure found on Northland beach

Media Release
19 October 2018
A chance find by a woman walking on a Northland beach is now helping scientists learn more about mako sharks.

Shark survival tale

Feature story
15 October 2018
As part of a Pacific-wide study, NIWA is measuring the survival rate of sharks returned to the sea by commercial tuna fishers.

Shark conservation one watermelon at a time

Media Release
2 July 2018
Warrick Lyon is heading to the Marshall Islands to teach fisheries observers how to tag sharks.

Public help sought as hammerhead shark does his bit for science

3 February 2014
People fishing in the Bay of Islands are being asked to keep a look out for a young hammerhead shark, nicknamed Orokawa.
 

Our work

Movements and habitat use of shortfin mako sharks in the southwest Pacific Ocean

Sharks are vulnerable to overfishing because of their low reproductive rates and often low growth rates. Most pelagic sharks fall near the middle of the shark productivity scale, and there is concern that catching too many of them could lead to population depletion. In New Zealand waters, mako sharks are the second most commonly caught shark species (after blue sharks) on tuna longlines.

White sharks

Where and when do white sharks occur in New Zealand waters, and how can fisheries bycatch be reduced?

Pelagic shark risk assessments

NIWA has developed a new method for spatially-explicit, quantitative, sustainability risk assessment of pelagic shark population.
 

Latest videos

Big Fish, Calm Sea - White Shark Tagging off Stewart Island

Big Fish, Calm Sea - White Shark Tagging off Stewart Island

Tagging White Sharks off Stewart Island, NZ Scientists from DOC, NIWA, and the University of Auckland are building a unique picture of New Zealand's great white shark population.

Great white sharks - sighted, tagged and tracked

Great white sharks - sighted, tagged and tracked

Scientists from DOC, NIWA, and the University of Auckland are building a unique picture of New Zealand's great white shark population.

Rig sharks - a familiar stranger

Rig sharks - a familiar stranger

Some think they're cute, and some say tasty, but little is known about rig sharks and their habitat.

 

Treasure found on Northland beach

Media Release
19 October 2018
A chance find by a woman walking on a Northland beach is now helping scientists learn more about mako sharks.

Shark survival tale

Feature story
15 October 2018
As part of a Pacific-wide study, NIWA is measuring the survival rate of sharks returned to the sea by commercial tuna fishers.

Pelagic shark risk assessments

NIWA has developed a new method for spatially-explicit, quantitative, sustainability risk assessment of pelagic shark population.

Movements and habitat use of shortfin mako sharks in the southwest Pacific Ocean

Sharks are vulnerable to overfishing because of their low reproductive rates and often low growth rates. Most pelagic sharks fall near the middle of the shark productivity scale, and there is concern that catching too many of them could lead to population depletion. In New Zealand waters, mako sharks are the second most commonly caught shark species (after blue sharks) on tuna longlines.

Shark conservation one watermelon at a time

Media Release
2 July 2018
Warrick Lyon is heading to the Marshall Islands to teach fisheries observers how to tag sharks.

From shallows: moving from the familiar shores of Raoul Island to lesser known higher latitude Islands

Over the last few days the “dive team” have been recording corals, fishes, urchins and other invertebrates from the shallow waters (0-30m) surrounding Raoul Island to complement the biodiversity records from the deeper ocean collected by the other scientists onboard.

Public help sought as hammerhead shark does his bit for science

3 February 2014
People fishing in the Bay of Islands are being asked to keep a look out for a young hammerhead shark, nicknamed Orokawa.
Big Fish, Calm Sea - White Shark Tagging off Stewart Island

Big Fish, Calm Sea - White Shark Tagging off Stewart Island

Tagging White Sharks off Stewart Island, NZ Scientists from DOC, NIWA, and the University of Auckland are building a unique picture of New Zealand's great white shark population.

Summer Series 6: Broadnose Sevengill Shark

31 January 2012

The broadnose sevengill shark, Notorynchus cepedianus, is named descriptively after – wait for it– its broad snout and seven gill slits! Interestingly, most shark species only have five gills. The broadnose sevengill is one of New Zealand's more common inshore sharks.

Great white sharks - sighted, tagged and tracked

Great white sharks - sighted, tagged and tracked

Scientists from DOC, NIWA, and the University of Auckland are building a unique picture of New Zealand's great white shark population.

Rig sharks - a familiar stranger

Rig sharks - a familiar stranger

Some think they're cute, and some say tasty, but little is known about rig sharks and their habitat.

White sharks

Where and when do white sharks occur in New Zealand waters, and how can fisheries bycatch be reduced?

Summer Series 6: Swimming with sharks

28 January 2011

The rig shark can be found all around New Zealand at this time of year, from spring to summer. It is found in coastal waters, estuaries and inlets, down to a depth of 200 metres.

Upgraded research vessel

12 December 2010

The return of the upgraded RV Tangaroa represents a huge advancement for New Zealand science and exploration

NIWA today welcomed home RV Tangaroa, New Zealand’s only deepwater research vessel, after a $20 million dollar upgrade to enhance its ocean science and survey capabilities.

Summer Series 7: Beware! The golden triangle of the bronze whaler

29 April 2010

If you’re surfing the North Island beaches this summer don’t be surprised if the sleek bronze body next to you riding the waves is that of a bronze whaler shark.

Great white sharks are taking tropical winter holidays too!

31 March 2010

A New Zealand great white shark has set a world record for the deepest ever known dive of 1200 metres.

More of New Zealand's great white sharks to be tagged

3 March 2006

An international team of marine scientists returns to the Chatham Islands next week hoping to fit satellite tags on up to 13 great white sharks. The tags will allow the scientists to track the sharks' movements for up to nine months.

 

All staff working on this subject

Dr Malcolm Francis

Principal Scientist - Fisheries
Email Dr Malcolm Francis
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