Shark Shield throw the cat among the pigeons

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

The ongoing problem with shark deterrent technologies is testing their efficacy. How do we know they work? Sharks are unpredictable and capricious, so effectiveness is a tricky metric to gauge.

Or, as per a recent comment on Swellnet: "Lets face it..until someone jumps over the side at Neptunes [Islands] freely and doesn't get eaten then it will be more believable."

The following vid is heading in that direction, albeit without using a surfer as live bait. It shows Shark Shield's FREDOM+ Surf being tested amongst schooling sharks near Exmouth.

The company who made the vid, Terra Australia, are a commerical production company specialising in underwater filming.

Comments

ryder's picture
ryder's picture
ryder Thursday, 7 Sep 2017 at 9:07am

What that proved was don't go surfing with someone with one of these shields.

And still, to this day, none of these companies will actually put a human on a surfboard and jump overboard at Neptunes.

Wendal's picture
Wendal's picture
Wendal Thursday, 7 Sep 2017 at 4:15pm

Totally agree ... it's time to stop this "mines bigger than yours". Go to Fraser Island peeling rights at Indian head and surf it ... from previous experience many sharks and scared backpackers calling you in ... this would be the REAL bronzy test to shut us doubters ..

ryder's picture
ryder's picture
ryder Thursday, 7 Sep 2017 at 5:05pm

See, I don't think bronzies are the real problem. I have found them to be very skittish and timid. Put a pair of hungry and competing juvenile GW's onto a food source though and I'm pretty certain they will bust through any "shield" without a whimper

I focus's picture
I focus's picture
I focus Thursday, 7 Sep 2017 at 7:52pm

Ryder this already happens with the south coast Ab divers.
I know the guys diving of the WA south coast have regular run ins with Whites, these days it just a given.
Not all use deterrents but those that do swear by them.
Mates brother dives out of Esperance and has the usual collection of horror white stories claims the Dive Shark Shield has been the difference.
I use a Repla as a result and after long talks to Dave Smith of Katana I am happy that it will make a difference.
I know for certain that doing nothing makes no difference.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Thursday, 7 Sep 2017 at 9:10am

Without being in proper feeding mode those sharks would have been tentative and cautious in such shallow clear water. Especially the reefies.

As someone that would dearly love an effective shark repelling device to be created I'm going to have to say that unfortunately this is still inconclusive evidence.

I've had a shark shield and used it diving in the same area many times - much to the mirth of my diving friends - and I will attest that the technology works on mildly inquisitive whalers and other less aggressive species.

Till it's proven on more dominant sharks then clips such as this are fun viewing but are an otherwise futile attempt to convince the public of their efficacy.

Another thing to consider is the different approaches sharks will employ when the bait is alive as opposed to dead.

Live food is smashed at speed , not bitten casually.

boxright's picture
boxright's picture
boxright Thursday, 7 Sep 2017 at 9:40am

As far as disturbing sharks from a distance you'd have to say that footage is conclusive. I get what you're saying about sharks being in feeding mode but many of the doubters base their conclusions on the tech not working at all (currents through water etc), when this at least puts that to rest.

ryder's picture
ryder's picture
ryder Thursday, 7 Sep 2017 at 9:51am

Pretty shallow water too. Assume the current transmitted from these devices would have more effect/spread in shallower water?

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Thursday, 7 Sep 2017 at 12:29pm

Great vid....3rd pic on Terras insta is really what it needs to be tested on

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Thursday, 7 Sep 2017 at 1:09pm

Contrast the approach of this bull shark with that of the sharks in the above video.

My shark shield would emit an electrical pulse to a diameter of about 6 feet every 4 seconds or so ( if my memory serves correctly ). The pulse deteriorated beyond any viability past this distance. I'd be surprised if the pulse was effective in a critical engagement with an aggressive shark beyond a couple of feet to be honest.

Think this shark would cross the last 6 feet in less than 4 seconds ?

Here's another vid to demonstrate the difference between a shark going a dead bait and a shark attacking live prey .

Because when humans get attacked they're live prey not dead bait.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Thursday, 7 Sep 2017 at 1:47pm

I don't have any doubts that the tech works, sometimes, on some sharks.....but testing on whalers in clear, shallow water when they are spooky versus whites remains a big question mark for me.

Are surfers live or dead bait?
Thats a good question.

Seems we can be both.

Whites can circle, check out and inspect, bump, nudge , exploratory (low speed) bite or go the full high speed ambush attack.

There's also good evidence that juvey/sub-adult whites are investigating and "learning" to attack bigger prey so we might be part of that process.

So yeah, the above vid leaves more questions than answers for me.

goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot Thursday, 7 Sep 2017 at 2:06pm

Fark blowin that bullshark was coming in for the kill

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Thursday, 7 Sep 2017 at 5:37pm

Hey Goofy - How incredibly does that reveal the attitude of a bull shark ?!

That fish couldn't have been more than 5 foot long judging by the narrowness of the mouth and the slender body.

Yet there it is charging a diver that would be heavier and longer than itself .

Seemed to be a territorial rather than a food based rational behind the attack I reckon. Whatever reason , they're not the full quid.

Or they are , just staunch as fuck.

Go the bull shark.

Bastards.

goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot Thursday, 7 Sep 2017 at 7:38pm

Mad as a cut snake.
To be honest I'm not that familiar with them coming from the southern states.
But from what I've heard and read they're angry, nasty suckers.
Jeez it looked like that spear hurt getting jammed in its throat though

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Thursday, 7 Sep 2017 at 2:14pm

It thought he was a seal.

Not.

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Thursday, 7 Sep 2017 at 6:53pm

I hardly think a 2 minute clip from a commercial production company is conclusive.

sharkshield's picture
sharkshield's picture
sharkshield Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 12:59pm

This video is just an example of product effectiveness, and yes the sharks where feeding on a bait ball, hundreds of sharks where present attacking the bait ball when they shot this video. Note the black shadow to the left in the last frame, that is the bait ball which the sharks have been pushed away from.

No one piece of evidence is going to convince everyone, and nor should it, however what I can guarantee you is that no other shark deterrent product in the world could demonstrate this level of effectiveness.

If you're willing to swim with white sharks to test your product your frankly an idiot. Like humans with poor hearing you'll likely to jump in the water the day a shark shows up with damaged electrical receptors. I wonder if the seat belt chap drove head on into a semi trailer to show how well it worked...........

One of the best way to confirm product efficacy in any industry is to have independently funded, peer reviewed research by recognized authoritative institutions, which is what has occurred with Shark Shield. The bulk of Shark Shield testing over the past twenty years has been on white sharks and it has been proven to be very effective. There is zero question that Shark Shield significantly reduces risk, just like any other safety product, 100% of risk can never be removed.

As an example, please see this independent published peer reviewed research on white shark testing by the University of Western Australia, not fake news.................

http://www.news.uwa.edu.au/201607048795/international/shark-shield-prove...

MP's picture
MP's picture
MP Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 3:32pm

Until you post a video that involves Great Whites you guys are kidding yourselves. Trying to get funding from the taxpayers money to test this in Ballina is criminal. We don't have a problem with Bronze Whalers in Ballina we have a Great White issue that includes dead and mutilated humans. To try and make money from this tragedy make you guys a bunch of sick idiots in my humble opinion. Go away and don't come back until you have proof that your products work with White Pointers. Kooks!

nogo's picture
nogo's picture
nogo Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 3:50pm

Well they are trying to do something, unlike yourself.......

I guess your theory is to kill them all??

Come up with a positive instead of a negative.

MP's picture
MP's picture
MP Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 3:59pm

I guess your an idiot too nogo if by reading my comment you managed to assume that my theory is to kill all sharks. Way to go nogo attacking me without any knowledge of my background or my personal philosophy. You are so wrong it's not funny. My point is Shark Shield wasting taxpayers money on already unproven technology when applied to Great Whites..

nogo's picture
nogo's picture
nogo Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 4:27pm

Is english your second language?

I said I guess, that's not saying you do....

You can't teach dumb out of people...

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 4:09pm

Over and over the seat belt chap was filmed strapped in his chair
i think his name was crash test dummy.

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 7:38pm

"if your'e willing to swim with sharks to "test" your product your'e frankly an idiot.."
Let me know when your happy to take a dip with the product around a few whites feeding on a 'bait ball'.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 3:26pm

Shark Oil merchants!
Cheesy video! Swell is light to moderate onshore bobbing boat & board with good skip.
Stoner rolls a number....
Next frame shows Board with 2 metres of slack... dead in the water with wind and swell near gone & now changing direction square to board. (Huh?)
Stoner starts freaking out....
Next shot re-frames a taught rope but swell is still motionless at right angle direction (Huh?).
Throw in new elevation and re-frame new window to paint a new story. Who's buying this?

Not one scene matches up.Cut and paste start to end.
With day long Gidget re-shoot...No wonder the sharks pissed off.
Batmans shark repellent video is still way more credible.

Disclaimer! Commentator was struck in head by drone .

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 3:53pm

Mr Sharksheild ..your proud ambassador Tom Carroll stated that its State Law in Sth Aust that Abalone divers are required to both use cages and a SharkShield ?

Could you please post a link to this new Law ?

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 7:24pm

Don't hold your breath udo.

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 7:43pm

Hmm just wondering why Tommy would come out with that ?
Pure Bullshit....
Talk to the Ab divers yourself says the Proud Ambassador.....WTF

sharkshield's picture
sharkshield's picture
sharkshield Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 8:10pm

Tom's comments are based on historical Shark Shield marketing material stating that Shark Shield products are mandated and/or recommend in various industries OH&S regulations such as abalone diving, which is correct. For example some Universities mandate the use (for example Finders University) and in abalone specifically this varies across states and I've asked the national body to comment.

However here is the latest OH&S statement from Western Australian Marine Stewardship Council Report Series 2017 for Abalone "The manual recommends that Shark Shields and cages be used/worn at all times to prevent shark attack..."

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/Documents/wamsc_reports/wamsc_report_no_7.pdf

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 8:27pm

That's great for some scholars at 'some Universities'. I can assure you that Fisheries don't give a shit about fishermen in general,.

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 8:31pm

So its not S.A state law. Pfft.

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 10:40pm

"ambassadors" rarely have a true perspective on the products they endorse.

I focus's picture
I focus's picture
I focus Friday, 8 Sep 2017 at 11:15pm

So given all the agro what's the answer boy's...........doing nothing

My local area for the last couple of years the boys have had to get out on average 5 to 7 times during winter due to big whites this year's been slow but three of us ran into a white that lined up my mate and for whatever reason it decided not to take him.

I read your scorn and to some degree understand but have any of you actually spoken to guys that have done any testing on whites and yeah Tommy (sounded a bit cheesy I know) talked about Ab divers but truth is they are at the pointy end of the whole white pointer thing do you reckon they might know something?

So what's the answer hero's do nothing?

Hucky's picture
Hucky's picture
Hucky Saturday, 9 Sep 2017 at 3:50pm

Worksafe SA will give your next of kin $$$nothing$$$ for your "injury case" if you are EG: Abalone diving without a cage or Sharksheld on and operation correctly and then you get TAKEN.
One who might cares about them$self more and less about there love ones are fools and they will take risks and spin negative shit about products like "sharksheild" to just put others in danger. Just fools with "blinkers" on.
Buzz off Bro.

Any foolish person to give Eg: "abalone diving go" with out due concern of the recommend OH&S regulations are inviting big trouble in time to visit them.

Less bitching over any type of "shark deterrent device" and more positive talk is the go for all of us that love the water . Work or Fun.

P.s If Government money spills over into any research into any shark deterrent idea , so what!!!
They waste our cash every were anyhow so waste it on shark research.

Good on the research about white sharks by the University of Western Australia.
Please don't slag off the scholars at our Universities.

Chill pill loves.
Surfs up now in South Australia.

Hucky.

sorry for any t y p o errors.

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Saturday, 9 Sep 2017 at 8:16pm

A recommended OH&S is a little different to an enforced one.