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Story: Sharks and rays

Shark fishing

Fishing for sharks and other big fish has been a popular sport in New Zealand, the more so when it involved species that put up a fight. In recent times, a desire to conserve vulnerable and endangered species means that sharks are often released after being caught. Unlike Australia, New Zealand still has no legislation protecting sharks.

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How to cite this page

Gerard Hutching, Sharks and rays – Sharks under siege, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/5341/shark-fishing (accessed 12 June 2026).

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 2 March 2009.

Comments

Clinton Duffy
28 October 2010
The great white shark was completely protected under both the Fisheries and Wildlife Acts on 1 April 2007. Earlier this year the whale shark, small-tooth sandtiger (deepwater nurse shark), giant manta ray and spine tailed devil ray were all protected under the Wildlife Act.