Shark feeding 'an exciting experience'

Swimming with more than 100 sharks which have up to 1000 teeth did not concern Matthew Crane, and it provided a thrill for a group of children and parents watching yesterday.

As the senior aquarist at the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre at Portobello, Dunedin, Mr Crane was busy feeding a range of sharks as a group of about 60 watched the action.

They were even able to get a diver's view via an underwater camera, playing through a television.

"It is quite an exciting experience," curator Adelle O'Neill said.

The open feeding session was held as part of the aquarium's summer holiday programme, appropriately named "Dive Dive Dive".

Participants were taught about the world of diving and were able to help Mr Crane with the feeding.