Environment

DOC defends fisherman slammed by public for accidental shark catch

17:54 pm on 6 July 2020

Listen

The Department of Conservation has leapt to the defence of a fisher who accidentally caught a great white shark off the coast of Taranaki at the weekend.

Rob Ansley of Ocean Pearl Fisheries has faced a barrage of criticism for causing the death of the protected species.

But DOC says he's done the right thing by reporting it.

RNZ's Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.

*Warning: Some of the pictures of the shark in the video are quite graphic.