INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS SHARKSAFE BARRIER™?
The SharkSafe Barrier™ has been developed to ensure the safety of beachgoers from shark related accidents.
Our product prevents the loss of tourism in areas visited by sharks and stop the environmental damage caused by shark cull policies.
OUR VISION
PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE
At SharkSafe Barrier™ our vision is to provide effective and sustainable solutions to mitigate the shark-human conflict, redefining the way humans interact with the world’s oceans
OUR MISSION
INNOVATION & SUSTAINABILITY
Our mission at SharkSafe Barrier™ is to stop global shark cull policies through innovation, research, and education, all while contributing to social and economic growth. We are committed to developing innovative solutions to shark culling, grounded in thorough research, that contribute to ocean conservation
OUR VALUES
AT THE CORE OF SHARKSAFE
INTEGRITY
We are committed to cultivating and preserving a robust reputation. At our core, we prioritise honesty, transparency, and ethical behaviour in both customer service and internal management.
PROFESSIONALISM
Our team is our greatest asset. Each member of our team is aligned to our mission and contributes with their unique and invaluable skills.
PASSION FOR THE OCEAN
Marine conservation is critical to our decision-making.
PROBLEM
DECLINE OF BEACH USAGE
The fear associated with shark attacks has been creating a worldwide decline of beach usage, and a subsequent decline of income for local businesses and national tourism activities.
The attack on a surfer on Ballina Beach (Australia), caused a US$200,000 loss in sales for a local surf shop. The 19 shark incidents from 2011 to 2016 in La Reunion Island resulted in a US$4.5 million loss per year in tourism revenue.
Risks associated with shark attacks on beachgoers have been internationally addressed by deploying drumlines and shark nets: technologies developed to minimise shark attacks by reducing shark numbers. Shark nets in particular are not shark specific, and responsible for high levels of biodiversity loss by causing mortality of harmless sharks, whales, dolphins, sea turtles and large bony fishes.
SOLUTION
Our innovation provides an eco-friendly alternative that will aid in biodiversity conservation and will reduce shark attacks and anxiety for beachgoers.
The eco-friendly SharkSafe Barrier™ biomimics the visual effect of a kelp forest (large marine seaweeds), and generates a strong magnetic field through ceramic magnets; this forms a double barrier (visual and magnetic) that keeps sharks from swimming through it. It is made of staggered rows of vertical HDPE pipes containing proprietary magnetic technology that creates a unique repellent to large sharks. Anchored to the seafloor, the SharkSafe Barrier™ allows any other marine life, such as seals and bony fishes, to swim through it, the same way they naturally utilize the kelp forest as a refuge. It also allows for boats to easily pass through.
WHAT WE DO
Our Services
- An in-depth survey of each area of deployment
- South Africa manufactured SharkSafe Barrier™ kit
- Installation in partnership with local, on the ground teams
- Training of a local team for ongoing monitoring and maintenance
- Shipped worldwide
The initial survey is crucial to optimize the SharkSafe Barrier™ design and installation to the specific site, and to provide a realistic cost estimate.
Due to the need to combine the knowledge in the field of shark behaviour with coastal engineering, the established SharkSafe Barrier™ team personally conduct all site surveys.