Research Reveals LED Lights May Help Deter Sharks

Australian researchers from Macquarie University have discovered that LED lights affixed to surfboards may serve as effective shark deterrents. In a study published in Current Biology, the team tested various LED configurations by towing a seal-shaped decoy to analyze how well the lights could obscure the decoy’s silhouette from sharks below. Results indicated that horizontal stripes of bright light effectively deterred sharks by disrupting their visual perception of the prey, while other light patterns, such as longitudinal stripes and strobe lights, were ineffective. The researchers noted the importance of power considerations for practical applications in surfboards, aiming to create a non-lethal deterrent that surfers would find usable. The study offers new insights into both shark behavior and potential protective measures for ocean enthusiasts.