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THE WATERS in Byron Bay and surrounds might become safer after Shark Mitigation Systems joint venture with international surf retailer Rusty. The deal will incorporate the SMS shark-deterring patterns into Rusty surfboards.
In conjunction with the University of Western Australia, Shark Mitigation Systems has developed patterns for wetsuits and surfboards designed to reduce the risk of a shark attack by confusing the predator’s vision.
Researchers say recent testing conducted in South Africa showed it took, on average, 400 per cent longer for sharks to engage with their patterned wetsuits than standard black versions and, while the surfboards are not directly referenced in that study, the company says the science is similar.
Rusty will offer the patterns as an option on their custom surfboards in Australia and New Zealand before widening into the company’s international distribution.
“The number of shark interactions with humans around the world is increasing quite rapidly,” Mr Anderson said.
“The reasons behind it aren’t clearly known, but it’s certainly zapped a lot of confidence out of water users.
“Sharks have seven senses, two extra that we don’t have, and it’s widely understood that their weakest sense is sight.
“We know we can incorporate designs that create confusion for a shark’s visual system into the product at manufacture stage.”