How did the Great White Shark become an endangered species ?

Great White Sharks numbers are dropping increasingly because of the over fishing and by catch by commercial set nets and long lines and inshore and midwater trawls .Great White Sharks numbers are also dropping because of trophies fishing and catching them for their teeth and jaws. Their teeth are treasured jewellery and the jaws can fetch for thousands of dollars. Indirect threats to Great White Sharks includes declines in abundance of important prey species due to changes in coastal productivity habitat less and populations. Increasingly development pressures on coastal ecosystems has potential to degrade important inshore breeding and feeding habitats for variety of Great White Sharks and a wide range of other marine species. Great White Sharks are now more endangered than tigers.

What is the Great White Sharks prey ?

Great White Sharks are carnivores creatures that hunt during the day .These large fish primarily feed on Dolphins, Porpoises, Seals, Sea lions , Whale carcasses , Sea turtles and other fish like, Tuna, Rays and smaller sharks. Great White Sharks prefer prey that are a good source of energy .They usually bite their prey to assess their fat content .If the animal dose not have enough fats that wouldn’t be a good source of energy so it doesn’t eat it. So humans don't qualify as a favourite prey for these massive hunters .If the Great White Sharks dose bit you it probably mistaken you for a Seal .Great White Sharks are very curious .First they spy then examine the isolated and vulnerable  objects that come across there way. Then they make the approach !!

How does cage diving give economic benefit ?

Cage diving with sharks is increasingly becoming popular if we look after the conservation of Great White Sharks it may have a economic benefit for example .In waters that contain Great White Sharks , boaters and dive operations earn tens of thousands of dollars yearly by featuring popular shark dives were guest can see Great White Sharks from the safety of steel cages .But DOC is putting down guidelines on permitting of activity to protect the sharks through the wildlife Act of 1953.

Why do humans want there teeth ?

Humans want their teeth because they are treasured as jewellery  .The Great White Sharks have 3,000 teeth at any one time .They are triangular , serrated saw edge .The teeth are located in rows which rotate in use as needed, the first rows are used in obtaining prey .The other rows rotate into place as needed .As they are lost, broken or worn down .They are replaced by new teeth that rotate into place.

What are the predators of the Great White Shark ?

The Great White Shark have no predators. Except man .Great White Sharks are at the very top of the marine food chain.

What is the feeding behavior of Great White Sharks ?

Research on interactions between Great Whites Sharks and species of seals and sea lions suggests that
Great Whites Sharks hunt their prey visually. Using their dark dorsal colours to help them blend in while
cruising near rocky bottoms , they watch for seals on the surface above. When an animal’s sighted, they accelerate quickly to the surface and ram into their prey, simultaneously stunning it and taking a large bite. They then return to feed on the carcass. It should be noted that great whites often receive considerable injuries from their prey, many have been observed with deep scarring on the head from the teeth and claws of elephant seals and sea lions.

                                               
                                                             Great Whites Shark attacks seal !!!

What are the penalties for hunting killing or harming the Great White Shark ?

 It is illegal to hunt , harm or kill Great White Sharks under the wildlife act of 1953 .This means 20nm limit around New Zealand .Any offence under this act is  liable to a fine of up to $250,000 and six months imprisonment .
They are also protected from New
Zealand vessels on the High Seas under the fisheries act of 1996.

It is not illegal to accidentally catch them as long as released alive and an harmed . If you do catch report to DOC or Ministry of fisheries as soon as possible .