Monday, December 2, 2024

Surfboard Lights May Help Prevent Shark Attacks

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Australian scientists from Macquarie University have suggested that fitting LED strip lights to the bottoms of surfboards could help deter great white shark attacks. A study conducted in Mossel Bay, South Africa, involved testing seal-shaped decoys outfitted with different lighting configurations to analyze their appeal to the sharks. Findings indicated that the lights distorted the silhouette of the decoys, making it more difficult for sharks to identify them against sunlight. Lead researcher Laura Ryan noted that great whites, which are color blind and often mistake human figures for seals, could be less likely to attack when this silhouette is altered. The study highlighted the potential for this non-invasive method as an alternative to traditional shark deterrents such as nets and drones. Researchers are now working on prototypes to test the effectiveness of these LED lights on surfboards and kayaks.

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