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Title: Bright Lights, Safer Waves: A New Solution To Reduce Shark Attacks
As the sun sets over the ocean waves, surfers and beachgoers are reminded of a constant threat lurking beneath the surface – shark attacks. In recent years, shark attacks have become an increasing concern for many coastal communities worldwide. However, a breakthrough study published by Dr. Melissa Cristina Marquez and her team at Macquarie University offers new hope in combating this issue.
The research focused on creating non-lethal deterrents that can be used to scare sharks away from surfers, watercraft users, and other marine enthusiasts. The findings suggest that strategically placed LED lights on seal-shaped decoys can drastically reduce the likelihood of shark attacks.
In a series of experiments, Dr. Marquez and her team tested various light configurations on decoys in an effort to break down their visual cues. This innovative approach was inspired by the unique visual patterns used by some marine animals to camouflage themselves in the ocean.
The researchers discovered that when the decoys were left in their basic form, they were repeatedly attacked from below by great whites. However, as the decoys became brighter and incorporated striped LED lights perpendicular to the direction of motion, the sharks’ behavior drastically changed. The attacks ceased almost entirely, with zero recorded incidents in each test.
The study’s results demonstrate that this technology has immense potential for reducing shark attacks. In an interview, Dr. Marquez highlighted the need for further testing before implementing the technology on real surfboards. She emphasized that while the findings are promising, they require more work to ensure the same principles can be applied directly to actual surfboard designs.
Notably, the study did not test the striped light design on surfboard prototypes due to concerns about potentially luring sharks closer to real surfers. Nonetheless, Dr. Marquez and her team have already begun working on embedding LED lights directly into surfboards. The next phase of research will involve testing whether these lights remain effective when a surfboard is stationary in the water.
Moreover, the study’s findings are not limited to great white shark species alone. The researchers plan to extend their research to other potentially dangerous shark species, such as bull sharks and tiger sharks.
In conclusion, this breakthrough offers a glimmer of hope for the global community grappling with the ever-present threat of shark attacks.
Source: www.forbes.com
