Study Indicates Surfboard Lights Could Deter Shark Attacks

Australian scientists suggest that attaching LED strip lights to the underside of surfboards might prevent great white shark attacks. A study carried out in Mossel Bay, South Africa, involved pulling seal-shaped boards, equipped with various light configurations, behind a boat to observe which setup drew the most interest. According to researchers from Macquarie University in New South Wales, the lights altered the silhouette of their “decoys” on the ocean’s surface, thereby hindering great white sharks’ visibility when looking against the sunlight. They further noted that lights could offer a non-invasive method for shark deterrence, contrasting with approaches like nets or drones. Lead researcher Laura Ryan stated that great white sharks are the species accountable for the majority of human shark-bite fatalities, frequently attacking prey from below. These sharks are believed to be color blind and occasionally confuse a surfer’s silhouette with that of a seal. The researchers also emphasized the importance of investigating whether the LED lighting proves effective in deterring other shark species known to attack humans, such as bull sharks and tiger sharks. Statistics indicate that most attacks are linked to individuals surfing and engaging in other board sports. In 2023, there were 69 unprovoked shark bites, with the majority occurring in the US, Australia, and South Africa; 10 of these incidents were fatal. The Australian study, detailed in the journal Current Biology, involved evaluating three distinct intensities of LED lights. Ms. Ryan reported that the study demonstrated that the brightest horizontally aligned lights were less frequently targeted. The researchers stated: “Our results reveal the importance of a dark silhouette against a lighter background in predatory behaviour in great white sharks and that altering the silhouette may form the basis of new non-invasive shark deterrent technology to protect human life.” They also noted that it was noteworthy that great white sharks exhibited less attraction to the most prominent lights, considering that other research has indicated some species are drawn to bright, reflective items. Currently, the researchers are constructing prototype lighting strips for testing on surfboards and kayaks. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.