Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Breakthrough Method Identified to Deter Aggressive Sharks in Ocean Waters

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A research team from Macquarie University in Australia has developed a novel method to reduce great white shark attacks using LED lights. With around 80 shark attacks reported globally each year, the team observed that sharks, which rely on silhouettes to identify prey due to their poor eyesight, could be deterred by visual illusions created by bright light patterns. In experiments conducted in South African waters, a polystyrene model representing a seal was towed with various LED lighting setups. Results showed that models illuminated with bright, horizontal-striped LED lights experienced significantly fewer attacks compared to those without lighting. The study suggests that brightly lit models may act as camouflage, hindering the sharks’ ability to recognize their prey. While further research is needed to determine the effectiveness across different shark species, the findings offer promising potential for enhancing safety for surfers while also protecting sharks.

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