A sighting of a large bronze whaler off Papamoa Beach has lifeguards patrolling the beach looking for the shark's exact location.

Shaun Smith says a two metre bronze whaler was seen patrolling a 2km stretch of shallow water near the surf club.

He says they basically swim the channel which runs all the way along Papamoa Beach.

People have not been warned off the beach until lifeguards can find where the shark is.

'We've sent lifeguards out to have a look and if we get a good sighting we'll start working our way down the beach talking to people.

'It's quite a big job to get them all out as you can imagine,” says Shaun.

Export lamb roasts which have spilled from the containers of the Rena are being blamed for bringing the sharks into shallow waters, as they are attracted to the smell.

'I would think if you got a chance to eat some nice export lamb you'd be pretty keen wouldn't you?

'I wouldn't be because they stink like anything but if you were a shark I think they'd be right up your alley.”