Shark Repellents are so hot right now!

Words by Jamie Tierney 

Cull and don’t cull: the gen pop’s response to the influx of shark attacks. There’s the defensive push to cull. And the anti-cull contend that the ocean is the shark’s all-you-can-eat buffet and we’re part of the pupu platter once our toes hit the water.

Hey there little guy.

Despite the polarising rhetoric, it’s hard to find an ocean enthusiast who’d argue a peaceful co-existence with these creatures is an ideal solution. After all, we’re both evolved apex predators. But unprovoked, there’s no problem leaving them be.

Sharks are highly sensitive to electro magnetic pulses. The theory stands that an invisible barrier would keep them away from humans while doing no harm to the sharks or other marine life.

Several companies are producing shark repellents. The Shark Shield, developed in conjunction with the renowned Kwa-Zulu Natal Sharks Board in South Africa, was recently proven to be effective over 90 percent of the time in a study by the University of Western Australia’s Oceans Institute. The study tested the product on Tiger Sharks, Great Whites and eight species of reef sharks.

Many surfers fear that putting a costly and/or bulky contraption onto their boards or their ankles hat produces an electrical field would actually attract sharks. Paul Von Blerk, a scientist at the KZN Shark’s Board, claims it’s a falsity. “There’s no evidence to support the claim that the Shark Shield attracts sharks,” says Paul. “I’ve spent thousands of hours testing this technology and have never witnessed this. We have concluded six months of testing in an area barrier down in Cape Town and if this were the case we would’ve seen sharks being attracted to the array, which did not happen.”

The Shark Shield, sizzling electro-magnetics!

WSL Big Wave World Champion and frequenter of sharky waters, South-African Grant “Twiggy” Baker, endorses a repellent called E-Shark Force. “I’m positive the E-Shark Force unit works when it functions properly,” says Twigs. “I’ve tested them in the sharkiest environments around and I’m still here. I also use them when I spear fish so my catch doesn’t get taxed.”

“We have certain spots that are too sharky to surf unless you use one of these,” continues Twiggy. “Guys risk it, but for me, who spends so much time at these waves, I feel the risk is too high without. Places like Madagascar, Transkie and the coast from Cape Town to J–Bay are teeming with whites. When I was younger it didn’t bother me, but these days I seem to have a little more regard for my life.”

Both the Shark Shield and E-Shark Force devices made for surfers are on back order on their websites; the fear is real. And, it grows each day as more tragic news is pumped on the shark attack front.

The question remains: Do these repellents really work? Are you safer wearing one if you dare to paddle out in Ballina, Reunion Island or J-Bay? Will they stop, or at least cut down on the recent rash of attacks?

Buyers can only hope.