Research conducted by Australian scientists showed that setting bright lights on surfboards significantly reduces the risk of shark attacks, while many proponents of this type of sport believed that these lights attract large marine animals.
Most often, the great white shark attacks its prey from below, usually mistaking the color of the surfer for a seal, as explained by biologist Lara Ryan from Macquarie University. Researchers managed to demonstrate that boards equipped with bright horizontal lights are less prone to attacks from large white sharks.
According to the scientists, the distortion of light from lamps on the water's surface makes it less appealing to animals. Ryan noted: "Fear of large white sharks has existed for a long time, and one of the reasons for this is that we do not understand these animals very well."
The study, published in the journal "Current Biology," was conducted in the waters of Mosel Bay in South Africa, known for its large white sharks. The scientists used mannequins in the form of seals with different LED lamps to determine which object attracts the attention of the shark.
The article showed that bright lights are most effective in repelling sharks, while vertical lights are less effective than horizontal ones. The obtained results turned out to be more surprising than expected, and Ryan plans to develop prototypes that could be used under kayaks or on boards for surfing.
Australia has advanced devices for tracking sharks, including unmanned aerial vehicles, anti-shark nets, and systems that warn owners when a shark approaches a populated beach.
The results of the study suggest safer methods that are less harmful to animals. Additional studies will show whether other species of sharks, such as tiger sharks or bull sharks, react in a similar manner, according to the authors of the study.
