Thursday, November 21, 2024

Can LED Lights Reduce the Risk of Shark Attacks?

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In a promising development for beachgoers, Australian scientists have found that outfitting surfboards with LED lights on their undersides may help deter great white shark attacks. A study led by Dr. Laura Ryan at Macquarie University revealed that the bright lights disrupt sharks’ ability to detect silhouettes against sunlight, significantly reducing their likelihood of following and attacking seal-shaped decoys used in the experiments. Conducted in South Africa’s Mossel Bay, a known shark feeding ground, the research indicates that the brightness and orientation of the lights play a crucial role in their effectiveness. Dr. Ryan emphasizes that great whites may mistake swimmers for prey due to their low visual acuity, suggesting that this innovative approach could enhance swimmer safety and alter sharks’ perception of potential targets. The findings, published in Current Biology, are paving the way for prototype development on kayaks and surfboards.

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