To respond to the release of the film » The Shallows » which was released yesterday in cinemas (in the vein of » Jaws » by Spielberg), theOceanographic Institute of Monaco has just made available a toolkit in the form of sheets to prevent shark attacks. This unique document was born from the conclusions of two workshops of international experts conducted on sharks in 2013 and 2014, under the impetus of Prince Albert II of Monaco. It gathers all existing solutions worldwide to prevent shark attacks, as well as those still in development, while putting into perspective the reality of the risks faced by humans.Learning to live with sharks Despite numerous awareness campaigns, sharks continue to be demonized, while they only cause 10 fatal attacks per year compared to 800,000 for mosquitoes. Victims of frenzied fishing practiced mainly for fin soup, it is estimated that nearly one hundred million sharks are killed each year. Yet the role of these predators is essential to maintain the balance in seas and oceans. We therefore need to coexist peacefully with these majestic creatures when we enter their environment.
Only 5 species out of the 500 gathering all sharks are likely to pose a danger to humans due to their diet and their size, often over 2 meters long. These include the bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias – top photo © Alain Souan), the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), the shortfin mako shark ( Isurus oxyrinchus) and the oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus). Some parts of the world harbor greater concentrations and are thus more sensitive to shark issues, such as South Africa, Reunion Island, Australia, Brazil, and the United States. In affected regions, effective solutions have been implemented so that everyone can continue to safely and serenely practice aquatic activities. The toolkit compiles all these solutions and innovations.
Inside this toolkit, you can find clear and precise infographics to understand the danger, themed sheets detailing existing or developing solutions worldwide, the main lessons learned from the expert workshops organized by the Oceanographic Institute, contacts of engaged field actors. It is also available as a motion design animation that you can view below.
Different types of protection to share space
Monitoring and alert
– Shark weather (for all sharks): identifying periods of increased risk, during which the most sensitive aquatic activities (surfing, swimming) should be avoided. For this weather to be effective, it must be associated with local observations of sea conditions (agitation, turbidity…) as well as observations of shark presence.
– Shark spotters (mainly for great white sharks in South Africa): the “Shark Spotters” device is a visual detection and alert program implemented to protect swimmers and surfers in Cape Town. A flag system has been set up to effectively warn sea users of the presence of sharks and a procedure to invite and help them out of the water if necessary.
– Shark vigils (for tiger sharks and bull sharks): a concept developed in Reunion Island, these are apnea spotters (operating in pairs) who accompany surfers to temporarily secure a site (trainings, competitions). A boat provides communication relay and intervenes in case of emergency.
– Detection buoys in development (for great white sharks, tiger sharks, and bull sharks): installed in Australia, detection buoys are placed along the coast to detect the presence of a shark in a specific area. A sonar detection system, located on the buoy or fixed to the seabed, recognizes the shape of a shark swimming nearby. The information is then instantly transmitted to rescue services and directly to the public via mobile apps (SMS, app, social networks, etc.).Individual solution
Electric repellents (for all sharks): sharks are sensitive to electric fields thanks to the ampullae of Lorenzini, these specialized electro-receptor organs located on their snout. These electric repellents are small individual devices that emit a pulsed electric field unpleasant for sharks, keeping them at a distance.Collective protection
– Separation nets (for all sharks): forming an actual physical barrier around swimming areas, they completely enclose the area, preventing any shark entry. They are designed to avoid entangling sharks or other marine animals and avoid environmental damage.
– The radiating cable in development (tiger sharks, bull sharks, great white sharks): this branched cable repellent with a radiating field emits low-frequency electric pulses that repel sharks from areas frequented by swimmers. The cable will generally be placed in front of the beach or the location to be protected.
– The anti-shark barrier (great white sharks): giving the illusion of a forest of large kelp, which great white sharks do not like to enter, it consists of several columns made of tubes attached to each other interspersed with magnets, floating vertically in the water. The aim is to create an ecological separation between sharks and sea users by placing these barriers around frequented beaches.
Morgane CONSTANTIN
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