Illuminated Surfboards May Prevent Shark Attacks: The "Invisibility Cloak" Effect

It might seem counterintuitive, but outfitting surfboards with bright lights could help ward off great white sharks. Research unveiled by Australian scientists suggests this unconventional method may actually reduce shark attacks.

Understanding Shark Behavior

Biologist Laura Ryan explained that sharks typically hunt by attacking from below, mistaking the dark silhouette above for prey, like seals.

In collaboration with her research team, Ryan discovered that when surfboards are decked out with bright horizontal lights, they are not targeted as often by sharks.

Disguising the Prey Profile

The lights disrupt the usual silhouette of the board on the water's surface. This alteration makes it seem less enticing to the predators.

According to Ryan, despite the public's apprehension toward great whites, a lot remains unknown about their behavior.

Research Methodology

The investigation was conducted in a known feeding zone for great whites along the waters of South Africa.

Using seal-shaped dummies equipped with diverse LED lighting arrangements, researchers towed these decoys behind boats to determine which lights were least appealing to sharks.

They concluded that horizontal, brighter lights are more successful at deterring sharks than vertical ones.

Professor Nathan Hart remarked on the intriguing interaction between the illuminations and shark conduct. He likened it to an 'invisibility cloak' that segments and masks the visual form.

Implications and Future Endeavors

The study's promising results have led Ryan to develop prototypes for future application on kayaks and surfboards.

Australia boasts comprehensive shark safety protocols, yet this new method could provide an alternative approach.

Further investigations are necessary to confirm if other species, like bull and tiger sharks, react similarly to the lights.

Contextualizing Shark Incidents

Official records show over 1200 shark encounters in Australia since 1791, with 255 proving fatal. Notably, great whites were responsible for 94 of these deaths.

Globally, the incidence of fatal shark attacks had a relative increase in 2023 compared to the preceding year, as documented by the University of Florida's international shark attack archive.