Australia (Commonwealth Union) – Australia has a long list of shark attacks recorded on the coasts of all states and most territories. New research led by Flinders University experts evaluated the effectiveness of a recently formed long-range electric shark deterrent for white sharks.
Tests were conducted on 80 volts and 150 volts versions of the novel Ocean Guardian BOAT01 on 116 trials on 43 white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) at the Neptune Islands, a popular destination for shark tourism in South Australia. As present, personal shark deterrents usually attempt to defend the user within a few meters, while this product is capable of defending a larger area or to be associated together for greater spatial coverage.
While the trials proceed, Southern Shark Ecology Group scientists from Flinders University analyzed the bait percentage utilized, which was distance from bait and shark; number of passes; and shark response to the deterrent. The White shark behavior had impacts by both versions of the device, lowering the proportion of baits taken by sharks of approximately 48%.
The impact however of these products on distance were minor, with shark average distance to the bait being 2-3 meters even as the device was running according to Madeline Riley, a researcher with a PhD in Shark Bit Mitigation Measures at Flinders University Southern Shark Ecology Group and the Global Ecology Lab. “Our findings provide further evidence that electric deterrents can reduce the risk of a shark bite but the limited effective radius of this product restricts its use to protecting areas within approximately 3 metres – which is similar to that of other previously tested electric deterrents,” she said.
Marine ecologist Professor Charlie Huveneers, who leads the Southern Shark Ecology Group at Flinders University, stated that the manufacturer of the BOAT01 devices has since adjusted the circuitry and electrodes with the objective of forming a tougher electric field with elevated voltage than the model analyzed in the research.
