Let there be light! That’s what shark researchers are saying after finding out LED lights on surfboards could be the key to preventing great white shark bites. This innovative study from Australian scientists could revolutionize surfboard design, offering not just safety to surfers but also protection for the sharks.
Macquarie University has published findings from a thorough six-year study centered around the behavior of great white sharks. According to Professor Nathan Hart, the primary aim has been to understand how sharks perceive their prey. He emphasized, "What we’ve been trying to do is understand how sharks see their prey. And with an insight gained from this, we seek to create some shark deterrents, which protect people and also sharks.
To conduct their research, the scientists ventured to the shark-infested waters of Mossel Bay, South Africa. Here, they conducted tests using seal-shaped foam decoys to observe how sharks responded to different stimuli, including the deployment of lights. The researchers were astonished by their findings. Hart noted, "What we found out is if you put lights on the bottom of the decoys, the sharks leave them alone.” This, they believe, reveals not only how sharks detect and target prey but also opens new doors for developing non-lethal deterrents for surfers.
This light strategy is rooted in what’s known as the counterillumination phenomenon seen throughout the ocean. Specifically, certain marine animals emit light from their undersides, breaking up their silhouette when predators—like sharks—look at them from below. The research team has demonstrated how these lights can effectively break up the silhouette of surfboards, making them less recognizable as threats. Hart explained, "We have shown these lights break up the silhouette of the surfboard, creating smaller pieces. This visual fragmentation is something the shark doesn’t recognize as potential prey.”
The technology functions almost like an invisibility cloak—albeit with the caveat of not entirely obscuring the object but rather refracting it so it becomes unrecognizable to predatory eyes. For this to work, Hart elaborated, “the lights need to be fairly bright to have this effect.”
Dr. Laura Ryan, another leading researcher from Macquarie University, previously established through her own studies how sharks might be colorblind and lack the ability to see as clearly as humans do. "They’re really good at detecting objects from far away but not so good at seeing the fine detail of those objects,” Ryan explained. With this knowledge, the team is transitioning from mere decoys to implementing LEDs directly embedded within surfboards. "What we’re trying to do now is move from seal decoys to a surfboard prototype by embedding LEDs,” Ryan said.
It’s worth noting, shark bites on humans are relatively rare, often treated with scrutiny. Those brave enough to venture out among the waves must weigh the risks of shark encounters against the joys of surfing. Hart expressed their goal of making oceans safer for both people and sharks: “What we don’t want is for people to get hurt, and we don’t want to see sharks getting killed as a result of those bites. We’re very hopeful this technology, along with others, could reduce the risk of shark bites and make it safer for everyone getting back to enjoying the water.'
With these promising developments, there’s growing anticipation for what future surfboards will look like—gleaming with lights like underwater cars and promising surfers not just thrilling rides but safer experiences. This blend of innovative technology and wildlife conservation creates hope for harmonious interaction with nature.
But the technology isn't just stopping with surfboards. There’s potential to extend this research to various aquatic adventures. Imagine the day when fishermen or divers can venture out without apprehension, knowing they’re less visually recognizable to potential predators. Macquarie University’s work stands at the forefront of creating responsible approaches to marine sports and activities. The future now gleams with potential to create unparalleled safety measures and encourage positive relationships with sharks—all stemming from the simple act of adding lights to surfboards.
For surfers and ocean enthusiasts, this research opens the door to not just revolutionary surf equipment but also the joy of enjoying the ocean—without the constant worry of shark encounters. The collaboration of technology and nature is racing forward, perhaps encouraging people to approach water sports with renewed enthusiasm.
What’s next for this promising avenue of research? The development of more prototypes for rigorous testing and collaboration with surfboard manufacturers could be on the horizon, paving the way for wider acceptance and use of these innovative deterrent systems. The ocean’s edge might soon be more inviting, reflecting not just light but prosperity for surfers, conservationists, and sharks alike.
The essence of this research encapsulates human ingenuity and respect for nature. By leveraging technology to protect both surfers and sharks, the study embodies the spirit of coexistence—a tale worth following as it develops.
