LED Surfboards May Help Reduce Shark Attacks

Researchers at Macquarie University in Australia have made significant strides in shark attack prevention through a recent study that suggests the use of LED lights could serve as an “invisibility cloak” for surfers in the ocean. Led by Professor Nathan Hart and Dr. Laura Ryan, the study indicates that great white sharks, which rely heavily on their poor eyesight to identify prey, can be deterred from attacking if human silhouettes are disrupted by strategically placed lights. The researchers drew inspiration from the plainfin midshipman fish, which uses light to evade predators. Over six years of testing in South Africa’s Mossel Bay, a known shark hotspot, the team discovered that using lights in specific forms and intensities effectively confused sharks, preventing them from mistaking surfers for prey. This research could pave the way for new surfboard and wetsuit designs equipped with LED lighting to enhance safety for ocean-goers.

LED Surfboards May Help Reduce Shark Attacks

Weekly Outdoor Update | November 13, 2024

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