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EFFECTIVENESS OF A MAGNETIC SHARK DETERRENT

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Date Issued:
2024
Abstract/Description:
This study examined the effectiveness of a magnetic shark deterrent, the SharkBanz® Zeppelin, and quantified the magnetic field it produces. A shark entering the magnetic field induces an electric field that is detectable by electroreceptors. This novel stimulus may deter sharks away from hooked fish. The magnitude declined rapidly with distance and reached the ambient geomagnetic field at 36-39 cm away. Zeppelin devices and non-magnetic controls were deployed with baited remote underwater video systems, and the responses of sharks were recorded. There was a significant difference between the number of sharks deterred between the Zeppelin and control. The Zeppelin deterred sharks on 22% of their approaches in the effective range, whereas the control deterred them on 2.6% of their approaches. Although the device may be effective at deterring sharks and act as a mitigation strategy for shark depredation, tests with live fish that provide more sensory stimuli are needed.
Title: EFFECTIVENESS OF A MAGNETIC SHARK DETERRENT.
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Name(s): Jones, Laura , author
Kajiura, Stephen , Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Department of Marine Science and Oceanography
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2024
Date Issued: 2024
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 72 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: This study examined the effectiveness of a magnetic shark deterrent, the SharkBanz® Zeppelin, and quantified the magnetic field it produces. A shark entering the magnetic field induces an electric field that is detectable by electroreceptors. This novel stimulus may deter sharks away from hooked fish. The magnitude declined rapidly with distance and reached the ambient geomagnetic field at 36-39 cm away. Zeppelin devices and non-magnetic controls were deployed with baited remote underwater video systems, and the responses of sharks were recorded. There was a significant difference between the number of sharks deterred between the Zeppelin and control. The Zeppelin deterred sharks on 22% of their approaches in the effective range, whereas the control deterred them on 2.6% of their approaches. Although the device may be effective at deterring sharks and act as a mitigation strategy for shark depredation, tests with live fish that provide more sensory stimuli are needed.
Identifier: FA00014556 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (MS)--Florida Atlantic University, 2024.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Sharks
Elasmobranchs
Magnetic fields
Electromagnetics
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014556
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU