A 2-metre long Blue Shark has become trapped today in a popular diving spot in Wellington Harbour.
The shark, which Conservation Department officials estimate to be a young adult, a female and importantly, healthy, is thought to have become trapped after finding it's way under the tarpaulin which surrounds the 100sq metre diving spot.
The tarp is designed to keep pollution and debris from the wider harbour and port away from swimmer and divers. There is a 5-metre gap at between the bottom of the tarp, and the harbour floor, which is thought to be the entry route for the shark. It is also hoped that this will be the exit.
Conservation Department Partnership Ranger, Amy Brasch, says that the plan is to wait for the tide to fall, and hope that the shark finds her own way out. If this fails, their Plan B is to lower bait to the bottom of the water, to show the shark that an exit is available.
Brady, a 20-year old Auckland native often dives in this spot during the summer. He saw a local news TV report, and decided to come and see if he could spot a shark. Though he has seen sharks before, the opportunity that this accident has created to see a shark at such close proximity is one he says he could not miss. However, he also added that he might think twice about swimming here again, in case the incident repeats itself.
Ms. Brasch agrees that this unfortunate incidents creates a great opportunity for the public to see their local wildlife, and hopefully understand the sealife that lives in their harbour a little better.
Blue Sharks are common in the waters around New Zealand, though this is the first time one has become trapped in a situation such as this.
Unfortunately it is not the first time that wildlife has become stuck in this spot. Manta Rays are a common sight here, and even local Penguins have been known to find their way past the blue tarpaulin.
