VICIOUSNESS OF SHARK

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1934, Page 6

VICIOUSNESS OF SHARK

HAPUKA BITTEN IN TWO COMPLAINTS OF FISHERMEN. NEW PLYMOUTH DEPREDATIONS. A striking example of the viciousness of sharks was related to a Daily News reporter by a Moturoa fisherman yesterday. Two lines were down from the one launch and both were being brought to the surface, one holding a hapuka and the other a nine-foot shark. When near the surface the shark was observed suddenly to make a wild dash at the hapuka, biting it completely in two though handicapped by the hook. In the meantime the shark was hauled to the surface, where after a fierce straggle it eventually broke free. The line was brought to the surface for the fisherman to discover that while his companion’s line still held the head of the hapuka, the severed end had drifted into a hook on his line, giving him the dubious satisfaction of catching a hapuka—in two parts. The Moturoa fishermen complain of the depredations of shark which break lines and, just as important, scare away the fish. One man yesterday caught a blue-nose shark 10ft. long, while about 20 smaller ones were caught among the different launches. The blue-nose shark, according to its capturer, “had skin so thick you could sole your boots with it.” The sharks serve no useful purpose, and though the Maoris still eat them, they are useless as moneymaking catches. A remarkable fact is that though sharks of good lengths teem at the fishing grounds, so far this season none has been reported near the New Plymouth beaches, although they are frequently seen close in on the rocky parts of the coast. A special bell is installed at the Ngamotu palladium to warn bathers of sharks in the vicinity, but it has not been found necessary to ring it this season.