The reality is that this was an issue that continued to grow. No one really knew how to deal with it, and the same can be said for those who held responsibility for the activity. In brief, Maritime New Zealand handles the regulation of vessels, WorkSafe New Zealand looks after people on the job, the Ministry for Primary Industries is in charge of fisheries, and the Department of Conservation's (DOC's) mandate is to protect sharks. In light of the growing tensions and conflicts, it was the Department of Conservation who eventually stepped in. It released interim guidelines in 2013 as a means of engaging the dive operators and other interested parties. Off the back of this, then conservation Minister Nick Smith announced in February 2014 that tourism businesses viewing great white sharks would be required to have a permit, similar to how they're required for whale, dolphin, and seal watching. A code of practice was introduced under the Wildlife Act 1953, and, in December 2015, tighter permit conditions came after an operator was warned over bait use.