You may be squalophobic without knowing it! Squalophobia is the fear of sharks, without ever having encountered one. It is a fear acquired by the bad reputation of this giant of the seasfueled by different films, including the most famous, Jaws of course! However, shark attacks are not that numerous, even if they make the headlines! In 2023, there will be 14 deaths worldwide and around 90 attacks, much less than mosquitoes which cause nearly 1 million deaths each year or dogs with 25,000 deaths. Certainly, we are more likely to encounter a mosquito than a shark! In an attempt to protect surfers, the population most affected by attacks, Australian researchers suggest, in a recent study, that illuminating the board could repel sharks. Decryption.
The scientific study in question
For the scientists behind this study published in the journal Cell, if the surfboard emitted light, sharks would not be able to identify it. They suggest that bright lights placed around the board would distort the appearance of the board in the water. If we assume that the sharks identify the surfboard as a seal, then these lights would disorient white sharksthe main perpetrators of the attacks. Laura Ryan, director of this study and biologist at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, suggests that white sharks attack from below. Bright LED lights would distract them from their “prey”.
Different light configurations tested
In Mossel Bay, South Africa, an area known for the presence of great white sharks, these researchers conducted tests to understand how to deter these predators. Using seal-shaped lures equipped with LEDs, scientists studied the effect of different light configurations on shark behavior. The results showed that the brightest lights were the most effective at keeping sharks away, while horizontal light patterns seemed to work better than vertical patterns. According to the study, lights would therefore modify visual perception and make the “prey” less attractive! Remember that sharks do not have very good eyesight, which would explain the attacks on humans, according to Euronews.
Prototypes soon to be used by surfers?
Pour Laura Ryanit’s a certainty, lights could save lives! It will also soon manufacture prototypes which will be installed under surfboards or kayaks to find out their true effectiveness. I hope that the scientist is right and that the sharks will not, on the contrary, be attracted to the lights, and I would not want to be chosen to test the device!
On the other hand, if it works, these devices could make it possible touse less invasive protection methods. Today, Australia uses drones, anti-shark nets and a marking system that alerts authorities when a shark is near a busy beach. And you ? Do you think simple lights could deter a white shark from attacking a surfer? Give us your opinion, or share your experience with us. Please notify us of any errors in the text, click here to post a comment.
