Australian scientists conducted research demonstrating that attaching LED strip lights to surfboards may deter great white sharks, suggesting a new non-invasive approach to improve safety for surfers.
Innovative LED Lights on Surfboards May Help Reduce Shark Attacks, Researchers Say
Innovative LED Lights on Surfboards May Help Reduce Shark Attacks, Researchers Say
A recent study indicates that illuminating surfboards with LED lights could minimize the risk of great white shark attacks by altering their prey's silhouette in the water.
Australian researchers from Macquarie University in New South Wales have proposed a creative solution aimed at reducing shark attacks involving surfers. Their study, conducted in Mossel Bay, South Africa, found that surfboards equipped with LED strip lights could effectively deter great white sharks. By towing seal-shaped boards fitted with various light configurations, the researchers aimed to observe which setup attracted the attention of sharks.
The findings suggest that the lights distort the silhouette of the decoys atop the water's surface, limiting the sharks' ability to recognize them against the bright sunlight. Lead researcher Laura Ryan highlighted that great white sharks, known for their predatory behavior, typically strike from beneath, leading to potential misidentification of surfers’ outlines as seals.
This innovative method could offer a much-needed alternative to traditional shark deterrents like nets or drones, providing a non-invasive means to safeguard surfers. It's crucial to further investigate the effectiveness of LED lighting against other commonly aggressive shark species, such as bull and tiger sharks, which also pose risks to humans.
In 2023, statistics recorded 69 unprovoked shark bites, predominantly occurring in the US, Australia, and South Africa, with ten resulting in fatalities. The researchers’ study, published in the journal Current Biology, involved testing three different intensities of LED lights, concluding that the brightest horizontally-aligned lights were less likely to attract attention from sharks.
Their observations reveal that manipulating an object’s silhouette against a contrasting background significantly influences predatory behavior in great white sharks. Interestingly, the team noted that sharks were less attracted to highly visible lights, contrasting with other studies suggesting some shark species are drawn to brightly reflective objects.
Future plans include constructing prototype lighting strips for testing on surfboards and potentially kayaks, further advancing the quest for innovative ways to improve water safety for surfers and beachgoers alike.
