Everything You’ve Wanted to Ask About SharkSafe Barrier

Let’s be honest, when people hear “shark barrier,” the questions come fast.

We love these questions. They mean people care about safety, about conservation, and about doing things properly. So instead of answering them one by one in meetings and calls, we’ve gathered the most common ones here in one clear, transparent guide.

Here’s everything you’ve wanted to know about SharkSafe Barrier.

1. What Is SharkSafe Barrier?

SharkSafe Barrier is a non-lethal, eco-engineered shark deterrent system designed to reduce the risk of shark encounters while allowing people and marine life to safely share the ocean. It biomimics a dense kelp forest using vertical marine-grade HDPE pipes embedded with permanent ceramic magnets. Together, these create a visual and magnetic deterrent that discourages large predatory sharks, without harming them or other marine species.

2. How does the barrier work?

The Barrier is anchored to the sea floor and combines visual deterrence (mimicking thick kelp forests) and a physical deterrence (embedded with ceramic magnets), which overwhelm shark senses and deter them. The technology has been successfully tested on bull sharks and white sharks.

3. Is SharkSafe Barrier non-lethal?

Yes, completely. Unlike shark nets and drumlines, the SharkSafe Barrier does not entangle, injure, or kill sharks or any other marine animals. It simply separates humans and sharks, allowing other marine life to move across the barrier.

4. Is it safe for swimmers, surfers, and boats?

Yes, the HDPE units are smooth and robust, the magnets pose no health risk, and boats and watercraft can pass through without damage. We do recommend clear signage and public awareness campaigns, education prevents tampering and builds community support.

5. Is SharkSafe Barrier commercially available?

Yes. SharkSafe Barrier Pty Ltd is a registered South African company with established manufacturing, export approvals, multiple real-world installations and qualified agents in Australia and the Bahamas to ease communication. While research continues to refine the technology and reduce the cost, the system is fully commercially deployable.

6. What are the pipes made of?

The vertical pipes are manufactured from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is UV-resistant, corrosion-free, highly durable, recyclable and smooth, reducing fouling

7. What is the standard configuration?

The proven configuration consists of 1 sea-facing row of alternating magnetic and non-magnetic units (spaced 50 cm apart), 2 additional non-magnetic rows behind it. This three-row design has been scientifically proven to deter sharks. Additional redundancy ensures the system remains effective even if individual units are damaged.

8. Can the design prevent sharks from flanking the sides?

Yes. The system transitions from deep water toward shore. In water depths of 0–2 m, rigid SharkSafe fences are used, in 2–3 m depth, semi-rigid Hybrid Units are used, and in depths of 3–8 m, flexible units are used. This creates a continuous exclusion zone from the shoreline outward, with no easy “side entry.”

Every installation is site-specific and tailored to depth, seabed type, and wave exposure.

9. Where has SharkSafe Barrier been installed?

South Africa – Research and development prototypes were deployed in high-energy ocean conditions, including exposure to swells up to 7 metres. These installations validated the durability and shark exclusion capability of the SharkSafe Barrier.

The Bahamas – Two barriers have been installed at a private island in the Berry Islands. Reports indicate that sharks have not crossed the installed barriers.

Réunion Island – A 10 m × 10 m exclusion square was deployed at 7 m depth in collaboration with the Réunion Centre for Shark Management. Installation was completed in 9 days.

10. How does the Barrier perform in rough conditions?

The majority of durability testing occurred in Cape Town, South Africa, where strong swells and storms are common. The system has withstood 7 m swells in South Africa and remained stable during hurricane conditions in The Bahamas.

11. How does the Barrier perform in rough conditions?

The majority of durability testing occurred in Cape Town, South Africa, where strong swells and storms are common. The system has withstood 7 m swells in South Africa and remained stable during hurricane conditions in The Bahamas.

12. What is the expected lifespan?

With a proactive maintenance programme, the installation can last 10–20 years, depending on environmental conditions and maintenance frequency.

The Bigger Picture

SharkSafe Barrier is designed as a replacement, not an add-on,  to lethal shark control methods.

It protects swimmers.
It protects sharks.
And it protects the long-term health and reputation of coastal destinations.

We’ll continue this Q&A series in our next newsletter, diving deeper into design, science, tourism impacts, and the future of non-lethal shark mitigation globally.

If you have pressing questions you’d like us to answer, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us directly or connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook, and we’ll include your question in an upcoming edition.

The SharkSafe Barrier™ Team