Karmactive Staff
A diver is recovering in hospital after being bitten by what is believed to be a great white shark in Dusky Sound, a remote area of Fiordland National Park. The incident occurred around 4:30 PM on Thursday, April 25, 2025, while the man was diving in Bowen Channel.
The diver suffered a moderate injury to his calf from a single bite before the shark let go. Both the injured diver and his dive buddy clearly saw the shark and identified it as a great white.
“It was one bite and let go,” said Maria Kuster, co-owner of Pure Salt Charters, the company operating the dive boat.
Despite his injury, the diver managed to return to the surface without assistance. “Adrenaline. He found himself on the tender before he knew it,” Kuster explained when asked how the diver made it back to the boat unassisted.
The charter boat crew provided first aid immediately. Within an hour, a helicopter landed on the boat’s built-in helipad and transported the injured diver to Southland Hospital in Invercargill. He arrived at the hospital just after 5:30 PM in a moderate condition.
Rare Sighting in Dusky Sound
The incident follows a notable discovery made just two months earlier. In February 2025, researchers from the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Sea Through Science captured rare footage of a great white shark in Dusky Sound.
The shark was recorded on a Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) set up to monitor species diversity and numbers in the area. Researchers were surprised by the sighting.
“While reviewing the videos, I saw a mature male white pointer shark turn up to the BRUV – it was quite a shock!” said Adam Smith, a researcher with Sea Through Science. “We had been laughing about how cool it would be to see something like that. It’s very rare to get such great footage.”
Smith noted that in their extensive survey work, they had “only seen a white shark once before during our surveys, at the Kermadec Islands, the other end of New Zealand.”
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Unusual Encounter in a Unique Environment
Kuster, who has 15 years of experience operating charter boats in the area, said she had never personally seen a great white in Dusky Sound.
“[We see] seven-gills all the time. We always say, ‘If you’re not seeing a shark, your eyes aren’t open’,” she said, referring to the more common broadnose sevengill sharks that inhabit the area.
Dusky Sound has a distinctive marine environment characterized by a layer of dark, tannin-stained freshwater that sits atop saltwater. This unique layering creates special conditions where deep-water species can live at shallower depths than normal. The area is accessible only by helicopter or boat, making it relatively remote and pristine.
Protected Species
Great white sharks are protected in New Zealand waters, which are considered a global hotspot for the species. According to the Department of Conservation, these sharks can be found throughout New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone, with juveniles and adults occurring in shallow coastal waters, including large harbors and estuaries.
Research has shown that great whites migrate seasonally between March and September, moving between areas like Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands to warmer Pacific waters.
The incident serves as a reminder of the wild nature of New Zealand’s marine environments and the importance of safety measures when diving in remote locations. The quick emergency response in this case – facilitated by the charter boat’s onboard helipad – highlights the value of proper preparation when operating in isolated areas where wildlife encounters may occur.
As of April 26, 2025, the diver is reported to be recovering well in hospital, with no further incidents reported in the area.
