Research and Development
Research and Development has been an essential component of the SharkSafe Barrier™ technology, as it allows us to continue to innovate and improve the barrier, reduce costs, and provide scientific evidence of its effectiveness. Transparent communication of research findings helps foster trust and support, which is vital to us.
SharkSafe Barriers (Pty) Ltd most recent research and development involved a deployment in Granger Bay, Cape Town. The primary objective of this is to assess the resilience and effectiveness of the prototype fence grid installed on a rocky seafloor that is exposed to high-energy waves. The testing centers on four key areas of the robustness of the system. The first is to ensure the durability and strength of the fence pipes at their base. The second is to assess the integrity of the rock anchors and their ability to withstand wave forces. Thirdly to assess the stability of the limpet block: shaped like limpets, they are designed to stay in place in strong wave action. Lastly, we have designed sleeves to add to our barrier, which allows us to modify the length of the pipes after installation.
Next time you’re passing through Granger Bay, be sure to keep a look out for our research and development, just opposite the CTUT parking lot, it will be there for the next year.
The next phase of our research and development will be a deployment at Mackerel Beach, which aims to test the robustness of a prototype design of the interface between shallow and deep-water grids within the surf zone.
Bahamas Storm
When you think of the Bahamas you generally think of idyllic beaches with calm, turquoise waters. However, much like South Africa, this postcard-perfect exterior can have its rough moments. From time to time, the Bahamas experiences strong winds, intense rainfall, and turbulent seas. This past February was one of those times and through this, the resilience and robustness of the SharkSafe Barrier™ shone brightly.
Having installed our first commercial SharkSafe Barrier™ in the Bahamas in August 2023, a storm like this was a great opportunity for the public to gain confidence in the barrier’s robustness. And that it did.
Unlike more traditional methods used to address the shark-human conflict, which are not able to withstand extreme conditions, the SharkSafe Barrier™ stood strong, and unwavering in its purpose to protect both beachgoers and marine life. Its innovative design with durability and effectiveness in mind, ensured that it remained steadfast even amidst these stormy conditions.
As we reflect on the resilience of the SharkSafe Barrier™ in these conditions, which is what years of research and development have taken to achieve, let us not forget the broader significance. Beyond SharkSafe Barriers™ immediate functions as a protective barrier, it embodies a commitment to innovation, conservation, and the preservation of our ocean environments. Beyond merely weathering the storm, it continued to fulfill its role, safeguarding marine ecosystems and a symbol of hope for sustainable coexistence between humans and the marine environment.
SSB’s COO and Marine Biologist loves diving with Sharks
Dr. Sara Andreotti is the COO, founder, and director of SharkSafe Barrier (Pty) Ltd. But she’s not your typical corporate leader. Dr. Sara Andreotti is also a dedicated marine biologist with a deep love for sharks and an adventurous spirit that drives her to dive with them whenever she gets the chance.
Sara diving with oceanic blacktip shark in Umkomaas, photo: Nicolene Olckers
Dr. Andreotti has always been fascinated with sharks, sparked by her curiosity about these creatures’ misunderstood nature. Through her extensive research and firsthand experiences, she has come to understand the vital role sharks play in maintaining marine ecosystems’ health and balance.
As the driving force behind SharkSafe Barrier (Pty) Ltd, Dr Andreotti’s mission is twofold: to protect beachgoers from potential shark encounters and to promote coexistence between humans and sharks. She firmly believes that fear should not dictate our relationship with these apex predators but rather our understanding and respect.
The SharkSafe Barrier™ and Dr. Andreotti’s contribution reflect her commitment to finding sustainable solutions that safeguard both human safety and marine biodiversity. With the SharkSafe Barrier™, which deters sharks without harming them, Dr. Andreotti hopes to dispel the misconceptions surrounding these creatures and foster a sense of harmony between humans and sharks.
So, next time you hear about sharks, remember Dr. Sara Andreotti and her message of coexistence.
Conservation actions for SA’s white shark population are now a matter of urgency
A group of marine biologists specialising in shark ecology, genetics, and fisheries have challenged the findings from a recent study suggesting that South Africa’s white shark population has not decreased, but simply redistributed eastwards to flee predation from orcas.
The rebuttal article published in the same journal recently, titled “Uncertainty remains for white sharks in South Africa, as population stability and redistribution cannot be concluded by Bowlby et al (2023)”, the group of concerned marine biologists highlights several issues with the methods and inferences made in last year’s study and argue that the data, as currently analysed and interpreted, cannot support the claims made about population stability, nor redistribution, of South Africa’s white sharks.
Dr Enrico Gennari, director of the Oceans Research Institute and lead author, says they felt obliged to raise these concerns given what it means for management: “If the white shark population is stable, there is no need for concern. However, if the declines in white shark sightings seen in former hotspots are actually representative of the population, then conservation action is urgently needed.” Dr Sara Andreotti, also a co-author of the rebuttal author, says they are worried about the effect of the narrative on conservation efforts: “There is no evidence of the hundreds of white sharks counted in False Bay, Gansbaai, and Mossel Bay ten years ago to be aggregating now somewhere else along the South African coastline. Our concern is that unsupported claims of population stability could jeopardise conservation actions urgently needed for white sharks,” she warns.
The group of concerned marine biologists urges authorities such as the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment to take a precautionary approach in light of the declines in white shark sightings from their historical hotspots, the consequent negative impact on South Africa’s ecotourism economy, the reduction in sightings of large mature white sharks, both in the Western and Eastern Cape, the very low genetic diversity of this population, the historical and current unsustainable levels of white shark deaths from the lethal shark control program of the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, and the newly exposed white shark deaths by a coastal shark longline fishery in South Africa.
Read more at: https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10495
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Released April 2024