There's a push for shark cage diving to be made safer for divers, swimmers and sharks.

Invercargill MP Sarah Dowie has put forward a Private Member's Bill because the activity is currently unregulated.

She told Mike Hosking Stewart Island locals are feeling unsafe because operators are working within 10 kilometres of a popular swimming beach.

"So obviously when you're dealing with apex predators and there's lots of different water users, we need to put in place minimum standards to keep people safe."

The bill is yet to be pulled out of the ballot.

LISTEN TO SARAH DOWIE TALK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE