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What is the best shark attack prevention technology?
Is shark attack prevention technology a definitive solution?
With shark attacks rising in countries such as Australia, USA, and Brazil, some say the most effective way to avoid them, could be the shark attack prevention technology.
Sharks rarely attack - but when they do, they cause serious or fatal damage. Scientists do not believe that sharks see humans as food: Instead, they bite our flesh for wanting to find out what kind of animals we are - something similar to what dogs do when they smell new friends, but much more lethal.
Based on this sad perception, researchers from around the world are striving to develop technologies that prevent or at least discourage such contact, often undesirable and tragic.
Here are some of the main and most effective ways to use shark attack prevention technology.
Drones & Traps Use
Australia is one of the countries with the highest incidence of shark attacks in the sense of prevention, the state government of New South Wales is investing in state-of-the-art technology. From now on, bathers and surfers will be protected by clever drones and traps, which add to the barriers and helicopter surveillance already used in the beach shark management strategy.
“There is no easy way to reduce the risk to bathers and surfers,” said New South Wales Secretary for Primary Industries, N. Blair. “We are committed to testing the best technology available, including state-of-the-art technologies while trying to find a long-term solution to keep our beaches safe.”
The drones will deliver real-time images to the operators with GPS coordinates. In this way, aerial surveillance tends to become more efficient. In parallel, intelligent traps, consisting of lines with baits and sensors, will alert the authorities immediately when a bait is removed from a hook without a bib (does not catch the animal). And the equipment also protects the animals, as it does not aim to catch the sharks, just issue an alert.
“Experts have pointed to this combined technology, and I’m happy to announce that the initial tests begin in the coming weeks,” Blair said.
In addition, helicopters with observers will fly over the coast, for at least five hours a day.
Electromagnetic Field
Shark attacks are an event of nature and happen with increasing frequency. Fear is also related to respect. When entering the sea, the bather and the surfer must keep in mind that he is dividing the space with the real owners of the place.
This technology is specific to the protection of surfers, and the keel of the surfboards is applied. No, the keels of the boards will not be even sharper to act as cutting weapons against sharks, because the goal is to prevent attacks from both sides. Thus, we may be close to finding the solution to end shark attacks to surfers and to minimize predatory shark hunting caused by fear of attacks.
Two electrode batteries placed in the keels, form an electromagnetic field around the board of about 2 meters. This field will not allow an approach of the sharks. How does this work? When they get close to the electromagnetic field the sharks feel nauseous. It may not be a totally friendly method, but it is clearly less violent and deadly than the indiscriminate hunting of the animal, always after the attacks occur. A great example of shark attack prevention technology.
Acoustic repellent
SharkStopper hasn’t actually been released yet, but they’re hoping to drop their products onto the market this year. Like all SharkStopper products, the PSR emits a patented acoustical frequency that repels sharks but does not harm them. Testing the PSR using over ten species of sharks at various locations worldwide has consistently proven to repel sharks between five and ten meters. This device can be worn on either an adult or child’s leg via an adjustable strap. The ergonomically designed product weighs approximately the same as your average smartphone.
This one’s pretty simple: just a little waterproof speaker that screams at sharks. It’s meant to be worn on the ankle, much like an ankle monitor for those under house arrest.
Clever Buoy Technology
The sonar system, called Clever Buoys, are developed by Shark Mitigation Systems. They use sonar to detect the distinctive movement patterns made by sharks and transmit a signal to alert lifeguards, who can raise the alarm warning beachgoers and swimmers.
The technology is being tested as part of the Australian Government’s Shark Management Strategy, a $16 million scientifically-driven program combining the use of advanced shark mitigation techniques.
To test the Clever Buoy, the trial will situate the system about 1 km offshore, in about 10 m of water. Positioned nearby will be an array of the underwater stereo video camera that will record for up to five hours each day. The captured images will be compared to the information received from the Clever Buoy to visually verify sharks that the sonar system has detected.
The Clever Buoy will also be fitted with a receiver, which will record information about any sharks nearby that have previously been tagged. This is an opportunity to rigorously and independently test the capabilities of the Clever Buoy system to detect sharks under real-world conditions.
The test results will allow the government to determine whether - and how - to deploy sonar systems in any environment. In addition, to provide the best protection available and confirm whether this shark attack prevention technology is feasible.
Chemical shark repellent
Chemical repellents have also been created and trialed over the years, with one currently marketed product being an aerosol spray called Anti-Shark 100, made by Shark Tec, which says it is “derived from putrefied shark”.
There is some evidence that sharks steer clear of the ‘necromone’ chemicals produced by other decomposing sharks, the producer says. “The reason for sharks to be deterred by this smell is unknown, but from an evolutionary perspective, it makes sense to leave an area where a conspecific [same specis] has recently died, as it might indicate danger.”
Still, while many chemicals are irritating or unpleasant to sharks, they dissipate rapidly into the water column, he says, limiting their effectiveness.
“You’d have to see the shark coming and then release this aerosol into the water, and a lot of sharks prefer sneak attacks,” says Blake Chapman, a shark researcher at the University of Queensland. “So, having a device where you have to see the shark first, and then release some sort of cue that it doesn’t like and leave… I can’t imagine that it’s going to buy you a lot of time.”
Conclusion
Despite the increase in shark incidents in the world in recent years, some estimates suggest the chance of being bitten by a shark, on average, is still only about one in 30 million. To put that into perspective, you’re about 100 times more likely to be struck by lightning.
Nevertheless, experts say that if shark attack prevention technology allows people to feel comfortable entering the water, then it’s already a great outcome. “These things may or may not work, but the chances of being bitten is so small, that if it’s giving the people peace of mind to go out there and do your activity then it’s doing its job.”
What do you think, a shark attack is among your biggest fears? Or do not you consider this a major risk?
Leave your comment here, and what do you think how the shark attack prevention technology, has developed. We want to know what you think …
