INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS SHARKSAFE BARRIER™?
The SharkSafe Barrier™ is a product that has been developed to ensure the safety of beachgoers from shark attacks, to prevent the loss of tourism revenue following these traumatic events and to stop the environmental damage caused by some of the protection measures currently used.
OUR MISSION
CO-EXISTENCE
It is our mission to replace shark cull with SharkSafe Barrier™ installations, and to promote a more peaceful and sustainable co-existence between humans and sharks. Our aim is for the SharkSafe Barrier™ to be deployed worldwide in all areas currently facing the threat of shark attacks. We hope to see our innovation moving the world into a greener direction.
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.