Scientific Overview
Shark Deterrent Research by Kwazulu Natal Shark Board
Please also see the independant Scientifc Research on the effectiveness of Shark Shield here
The electrical wave-form used in the Shark Shield is based on a technology originally invented by the Kwazulu Natal Shark Board of South Africa in the 1990's.
Predatory sharks have small gel filled sacs knows as ‘Ampullae of Lorenzini’ on their snouts. They use these short range sensors when feeding or searching for food.
Shark Shield is a three-dimensional electrical wave form which creates an unpleasant sensation impacting the shark’s ‘Ampullae of Lorenzini’. When the shark comes into proximity of the electrical wave form (a few meters in diameter) it experiences non-damaging but uncontrollable muscular spasms causing it to flee the area.
The field is projected from the unit by two electrodes, which create an elliptical field that surrounds the user. Both electrodes must be immersed in the water for the field to be created. The electrode configuration depends on the model of the Shark Shield unit and the diagram below is a mathematical example of how the original POD and SCUBA7 electric field would look if you could see it.
In the video below we discuss how the electrical shark deterrent technology works and provide examples of the electircal field required to offer a level of protection against a shark attack.
From testing, the closer the shark is to the Shark Shield field, the more spasms occur in the sharks’ snouts. This becomes intolerable and the shark then veers away, and usually doesn’t return.
A distinct advantage of the unique electrical wave-form is that it deters sharks and does no lasting harm to the shark. Once the shark is out of the affected area, it no longer feels the effect of the electrical wave form. The video below shows Ian "Shark" Gordon testing Shark Shield and the effectiveness of the technology on even the larges of sharks.
The original technology was released onto the market in 1995 by POD Holdings Ltd, a joint venture company partly owned by the Natal Sharks Board and the South African Government. In addition to being tested by National Military and other authorities, Shark Shield has been extensively tested to the highest standards by scientists and marine biologists over many years. You can review published test results here
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