A revolutionary invention straight out of Stellenbosch has travelled to the Bahamas with shark safety in mind. Where shark nets have killed thousands of sharks along with other marine life, the scientifically created ‘kelp forests’ keep these animals safe!
Global (03 November 2023) — Since the 1950s, shark nets have played a dark role in claiming marine lives across the world, from dolphins to sea turtles and of course shark species—a far cry from what shark safety should mean. This has resulted (amongst other worrying factors) in the severe decline of white shark numbers in waters close to home, as discovered by marine biologist Dr Sara Andreotti.
However, in an effort to keep both marine animals and humans safe, marine biologists at Stellenbosch University, led by Dr Andreotti, have done something ground-breaking, thanks to their innovative ‘kelp forest’ biomimicry work designed to protect lives without harmful repercussions.
According to the university, the SharkSafe BarrierTM tech is the only eco-friendly alternative to shark nets.
For Dr Andreotti who is a Stellenbosch University lecturer, researcher and diver, creating kelp forest-inspired barriers are the solution thanks to their safety-focused position as ‘reef-like havens for local sea life’.
The barriers work by marrying kelp forest elements with magnetic fields, the latter being a force most shark species are sensitive to, due to the electromagnetic receptors on their heads. The kelp forest design, on the other hand, is inspired by natural sea life behaviour; where real kelp forests are something of a hiding place for most sea creatures seeking refuge from predators, according to the researchers.
In simple terms, shark safety is safer now as the sharks are repelled by the magnetic fields instead of trapped, while other marine lives can go about their days as usual and sea-curious humans can explore without harmful impact either.
This concept was developed over 10 years ago, and since then it has been tried and tested throughout South African waters.
Now, it’s making even more waves of change in waters far beyond! The barrier’s use in the Bahamas for one (its first commercial use ever) has been praised after a 30-metre-long barrier along an island bay was installed to strengthen marine conservation efforts.
But, the opportunities to re-manage shark safety are bigger than any one island and will always have a dose of South African brilliance tied to every mission accomplished.
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