In brief
A recent study indicates that fitting surfboards with LED lights may help deter great white sharks from attacking, providing a potential non-invasive solution for improving safety in waters frequented by surfers and divers.
Researchers from Macquarie University in Australia have provided a glimmer of hope for beachgoers concerned about shark attacks by revealing that affixing LED strip lights to the bottom of surfboards could significantly reduce the risk of encounters with great white sharks. Their study, conducted in Mossel Bay, South Africa, involved towing seal-shaped boards, equipped with various light configurations, to determine which design garnered the least attention from these formidable predators. The lead researcher, Laura Ryan, explained that the lights were successful in distorting the silhouette of their aquatic decoys, impeding the sharks' ability to discern shapes against the sunlight’s glare. This innovative approach presents a non-invasive alternative to traditional deterrents like nets or drones, suggesting a harmony of technology with nature. Great whites are infamous for being responsible for the majority of fatal shark attacks on humans, often striking from below, leading to misidentifications of silhouettes—surfers can easily be mistaken for seals. With a total of 69 unprovoked bites reported in 2023, particularly in regions such as the US, Australia, and South Africa, the urgency for effective deterrents is palpable. The study published in *Current Biology* included tests on three intensities of LED lights, showing that the brightest lights were less likely to attract sharks. The researchers concluded that altering one’s silhouette could provide a critical framework for developing new, non-invasive technologies to enhance public safety without harming shark populations. Interestingly, while some previous research indicated that certain shark species might be attracted to bright, reflective objects, this finding marks a pivotal shift in understanding great white behavior and illustrates a potential avenue for reducing risks in recreational water sports. Plans are underway for creating prototype lighting strips intended for use on surfboards and kayaks as a follow-up to their promising findings.
