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jbshack said..Hydromann said..So far in everything that I have seen and investigated it seems that the best option is an active deterrent.
Based on a number of studies that passive deterrent proponents dispute as unfair, it seems that active electronic devices offer some actual protection in mitigating a shark encounter escalation.
Predatory habits of sharks do not seem to differ much between species, all are ambush and opportunistic predators. There seems to be some evidence that larger species of sharks do not always rely on ambush or evaluation of their targets, and are more opportunistic due to their actual size and the reduced likelihood of injury. Whereas more juvenile inexperienced and smaller sharks will have some sort of inbuilt mechanism to evaluate risk versus reward.
Then again a hungry tiger shark will even eat car tyres and number plates.
The only passive deterrent that I give any real credence to would be active camouflage and being able to remain hidden in the water for longer. It aligns with one of the most primary methods of evasion used throughout nature, countershading. See
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CountershadingI think this would be my first economic line of defense, followed by an active deterrent that fit's less invasively into your equipment or onto your person.
Be interested to hear others thoughts, ideas and experiences?
One things for certain, I wont be buying one of these:
The makers say the test was not fair because the band only works when in motion, that it's the motion of the magnets through the water that somehow creates a small electrical charge that disrupts the sharks senses. And that this video actually evidences this when the shark removes the band, takes it into it's mouth, and then spits it out supposedly because of the discomfort it causes as the shark moves through the water.
I call BS on that but each to their own.
This style of video testimonials is not correct. TBH it would be very interesting to know who paid for that testing? My bet is the biggest competitor in this space
I see what your trying to do, to get a good idea of deterrents, but can i suggest you also get an education on the threat. Sharks themselves, how they use sight, sound and other systems to hunt. Their patterns and movements. This will help explain much of what your looking for.
If you look at the last two surfing attacks, both would have been avoided if people had used caution over bravado.
Bens attack in Mandurah, again, if the adequate warnings had been in place, (signs saying large shark sighted) then possibly things would have been very different. Take out all those times and the rate of attack is very low in the first place. It's just a media beat up.
Some people use devices, (I do) but each to their own IMHO..
Some products are designed to help, some are just to make money. Some a mixture of both, Same as every economical market i guess..
The truth though, i find is not to be found online in forums, direct brand research is the only answer IMHO.
Thanks JB,
Not trying to do anything, just a topic of interest to me. Not pushing one thing over another, simply stating my understanding of what is around.
BTW if you are in the line up with me, please have the decency to let me know that you are using a device. Because according to latest research and observation by actual water men these things attract sharks before they deter them.
If me or a mate were in a line up and attacked only to find out that someone had a device on I would be pissed off big time. It should be mandatory to have a big sticker on your deck saying that you're electrified.
And I agree, education is paramount on shark habits, and the fact that no two sharks have the exact same predatory tendancies because they are not raised like dolphins in a pack, they are not educated to hunt a certain way through nurturing. They fend for themselves immediately and learn from experience what works for them and what does not, and that varies as much from shark to shark as it does from species to species. Yes they do have instinctive behavior patterns that are common to being sharks but they also very much have individual personalities and preferences and as well.
I am fortunate in that my daughter in laws sister is a marine biologist who understanding these things in depth. But also acknowledges that you would be hard pressed to find any marine biologist that would recommend any one specific device to protect against all threats presented by sharks. In fact her equation is simple, the more you are in the water the greater your risk, if you spend time in the water at know ambush times of dawn and dusk, or if you choose to surf in low visibility, or if you surf among bait fish your an idiot. She preaches about reducing your risk but ultimately accepting your exposure in their domain. Her go to is camo and shark eyes, specifically for ease of use and she is also considering magnets because when they are active in the water it has been scientifically proven that they do work on some species.
My sons have Shark Shields for free diving, if they are bringing them along she will not dive with them based on the latest research because she would become the target.
Personally I am not convinced of any one products ability bar the stinky stuff which I have a can of and have used once when sailing my small trimaran to scare off a tiger shark, and yes it did work but I had the advantage of being in a boat and not dangling in the water.
Necramones seem the most logical thing to me, but others believe that they attract larger sharks looking to scavenge off the rotting carcass of another species.
Hydromann
> 9 months ago, 24 Feb 2020
