Shark attacks

1997/09/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Patenteak/Asmakizunak
• Zoologia
• Ingurumena

Sharks are very difficult to attack swimmers who travel along the beaches and on our coast we do not read in the newspapers. However, in the world as a whole, sharks attack more and more people. In 1985 there were 14 people affected, but in 1995 there were 62. This climb may be due to a greater influx of tourists on the beaches of the warm territories. In addition, the beaches of undeveloped villages are not usually adequately guarded.

Graham Charter of Natal Sharks Board, a shark research organization in the South African city of Durban, has prepared an electrical system called Protective Oceanic Device (POD) against sharks. Valerie and Ron Taylor from Australia have been used successfully as a test for a year.

The POD system is swimmer and surfer and poses no risk. The device is carried to the back and generates a 12 volt electric field. This is enough to scare off sharks, which are very sensitive to stress changes.