Crab fishermen are being blamed for a significant rise in shark sightings at a popular Northland beach.
Locals say the sharks are being drawn in to Ruakaka beach because the crabbers are using animal carcasses as bait.
The Ruakaka Surf Lifesaving club is seeing more and more sharks swimming in patrolled parts of the popular beach.
"New Zealand is a very safe place in regard to sharks but it is a concern and it alarms the beach users," says Ruakaka Surf Lifesaving's Andrew Forsyth.
Locals say the sharks are being attracted by pig heads and chicken carcasses used as bait by fishermen looking to catch paddle crabs.
"Quite a number are coming in closer and it's reasonable to suppose that the reason they're coming in closer is an effect of putting a lot of bait close to shore," Mr Forsyth says.
Instances of rescues and drownings on the beach are also at an all-time high.
A man of Cambodian and Chinese descent drowned at the beach last week. He was the fourth Asian male to die there while crabbing in the past six years.
"Most are coming onto beaches very ill-prepared for New Zealand conditions and have little awareness about sea conditions. Most cannot swim," says Waipu senior constable Martin Geddes.
Police are being proactive in getting the water safety message out.
"We want see everyone that's going out into the water fishing or crabbing wearing a lifejacket," Mr Geddes says.
One problem is on its way to being solved, but the threat from the deep still remains.
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