Thursday, December 12, 2024

LED Lights on Surfboards May Help Deter Great White Sharks

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Recent research from Macquarie University suggests that equipping surfboards and kayaks with LED lights on their undersides could decrease the likelihood of great white shark attacks. Led by Dr. Laura Ryan, the study found that illuminated decoys in South Africa’s Mossel Bay were significantly less likely to attract sharks when compared to unlit versions, as sharks tend to recognize dark silhouettes against brighter water as prey. While covering surfboards entirely with lights is impractical due to battery constraints, the team discovered that strategically placed horizontal LED stripes can alter the outline enough to diminish the resemblance to a seal. Future tests with surfboard prototypes will assess the real-world feasibility of this innovative safety measure for surfers.

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