Oceania wars Australia vs New Zeland for kill or not kill white sharks

The authorities will hunt and kill white sharks that pose a threat to swimmers on the west coast of Australia under a new plan to protect tourists after it has been five fatal attacks in the last year. White sharks are a protected species in Australian waters for more than a decade, but the latest wave of attacks by these animals in the waters of Western Australia have led the State Government to authorize preventive hunting.
"Always will the lives and safety of swimmers shark ahead," said the chief minister of the state of Western Australia, Colin Barnett. "It is, after all, a fish, keep perspective," he added. Barnett noted that his state has recorded only twelve fatalities in shark attacks in the last century, but five of them have occurred just in the last year.

The plan will allow authorities to track down and kill a shark if it detects near bathers. Until now, only if they could hunt sharks attacked a swimmer. Also, the state government will buy more water skis for rescuers and helicopter patrols will finance most of the beaches.

In waters of Australia there are over a hundred species of shark, mostly non-aggressive. The great white, tiger and bull are considered the most dangerous, but often live in waters far from crowded beaches.

By contrast New Zealand

The New Zealand Government will give the highest legal protection for shark oceanic species they considered endangered, local media reported Wednesday.

The Minister of Conservation, Kate Wilkinson, said the new rules will give the shark the same degree of protection as the great white shark, to help restore the population and ensure their survival.

The measure, which will come into force next year, will make it illegal to intentionally capture of this shark in New Zealand waters, with penalties of up to six months in jail and fines of $ 250,000 and will force the authorities communicate any catch.

"Species like the ocean shark are being recognized and protected as an important part of our marine ecosystem," said Wilkinson, according to the New Zealand Herald.

"New Zealand and the international community are taking steps to protect the future of these magnificent animals," she added.

The oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) is a migratory species that is usually captured accidentally by tuna and New Zealand is among the northeastern North Island and the Kermadec archipelago.