Scientists test Shark Repellent Electronic Cable in Cape Town

The way to stop man-eating great white sharks attacking humans is by tickling their sensitive noses electronically, researchers in South Africa say.

Scientists from the naval company KwaZulu Sharks Board installed the cables of the devices to protect bathers, coinciding with the beginning of the summer in the southern hemisphere, where the world”s worst shark attacks are reported every year.

The portable device, called Shark Pod, generates an electromagnetic field that hits the sharks’ nose.

The technology was designed to protect bathers, divers and surfers without damaging the sharks physically, said the firm in response to demands by environmentalists.

If the device is successful, the company expects that it might be used all over the world, because it would become a major innovation, in contrast to the current shark-hunting nets, which have been described as environmentally unfriendly.

Agencies/Canadajournal