Shark Sighting Forces Evacuation at Christchurch's New Brighton Beach

A shark sighting in the waters off New Brighton Beach in Christchurch, New Zealand, earlier this week led to the evacuation of swimmers, according to local sources.

Law enforcement helped locals to carry out the precautionary measure to avoid at least a fatal shark attack.

The Christchurch beach shark sighting occurred in the aftermath of a similar sighting in the nearby Waimari Beach two weeks ago.

In 2022, reports revealed that scientists investigate a phenomenon behind the increase of great white shark sightings in one of the country's most popular tourist holiday getaway.

Both the northern and southern islands of New Zealand is home to a number of shark species, in addition to the white sharks.

While fatal shark attacks are rare, they have occurred in the island nation before.

New Brighton Beach Shark Sighting

(Photo : Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Local authorities forced swimmers to stay away from New Brighton Beach after an unidentified shark was spotted gliding through the waves afternoon on Monday, February 13.

The local police and surf lifesavers carried out the evacuation operation, according to a report by New Zealand news media website Stuff.

The incident was confirmed by Stu Bryce, the southern regional manager at Surf Life Saving New Zealand, who said a Surf Life Saving education program was underway at that time when the New Brighton Beach shark sighting transpired.

The protocol is to get people out of the water within 30 minutes and then review the situation, according to Bryce, as cited by the New Zealand media site.

The reassessment aims to determine if it is already safe for swimmers to get back into the water or not.

Also Read: Due to Climate Change, this Species of "Walking" Shark is Evolving to Adapt Harsher Conditions

Shark Warning

Earlier in February, a shark warning was issued for a beach in Christchurch following a shark sighting, leading to the clearing of both swimmers and beachgoers in the area.

Shark warning signs were placed along North Brighton Beach before noon on February 4, according to Radio New Zealand.

The region surrounding Christchurch was experiencing relatively high temperatures of above 30 degrees Celsius for consecutive days over two weeks ago when the shark was seen in a busy Canterbury beach.

Waimairi Surf Lifesaving Club confirmed the shark sighting in its popular Christchurch beach, The New Zealand Herald reported.

The shark warning or "safety warning" was posted on the website of Safeswim, a joint initiative between the following organizations: Auckland Council, Surf Life Saving New Zealand, Northland Regional Council, Watercare, and Auckland Regional Public Health Service.

New Zealand Fatal Shark Attack

In 2021, New Zealand witnessed the death of a woman named Kaelah Marlow, 19, from a suspected fatal shark attack at Waihi Beach in North Island, according to the local police, which also revealed her body appeared to be injured by a shark, as reported by the BBC.

Marlow was taken out of the water but died on the scene despite life-saving efforts made on her.

Shark attacks are not common in New Zealand and the 2021 shark attack is thought to be the first fatal incident since 2013, according to the UK media organization.

In September 2022, scientists were investigating on increased reports of great white shark sightings around the Bay of Plenty region, located on North Island's east coast, linked to ocean warming, according to The Guardian.