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Submission declined on 21 January 2026 by Pythoncoder (talk). This draft appears to contain text generated by a large language model (such as ChatGPT). You cannot use LLMs to generate, draft, or rewrite article content.
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Submission declined on 22 December 2025 by Fermiboson (talk). This draft reads like an advertisement. Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, not a platform for promotion or marketing. Drafts that are exclusively promotional may be deleted without notice.
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SharkSafe Barrier
[edit]
The SharkSafe Barrier is a non-lethal shark management technology developed in South Africa that aims to reduce human-shark interactions while minimising harm to marine life. The barrier combines visual deterrents and magnetic fields intended to discourage the movement of sharks into designated zones along coastal areas, as an alternative to traditional shark control methods.[1] The system was created by marine biologists and engineers and is marketed by SharkSafe Barrier Pty Ltd, a spin-off company of Stellenbosch University.[2]
History
[edit]
The concept for the SharkSafe Barrier emerged from research examining shark behavior, including studies oberving acoidance responses by certain shark species to avoid dense kelp forest habitats.[3] Researchers at Stellenbosch University developed a prototype based on these observations, which was later commercialized through SharkSafe Barrier Pty Ltd.[2]
Field trials have been conducted in South Africa and the Bahamas.[4] In 2023, a 30-meter installation was deployed on a private island in the Bahamas, representing the first commercial application of the technology.[5]
Technology
[edit]_Daniel_Botelho.jpg)
The SharkSafe Barrier incorporates two primary deterrent mechanisms:
Visual Barrier: The system is designed to resemble kelp forests, which some shark species have been observed to avoid.[3]
Magnetic Barrier: The structure incorporates ceramic magnets that generate magnetic fields. Published research indicates that these magnetic fields interact with sharks' Ampullae of Lorenzini, a sensory system sensitive to electromagnetic stimuli. The deterrent effect is intended to influence shark behaviour while allowing other marine life to move through the structure.[1]
Structure and Materials
[edit]- Anchoring System: The barrier is anchored to the seafloor and extends approximately 50 cm above the water surface at high tide for monitoring and visibility.[6]
- Materials: The barrier is constructed from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and stainless steel, with the HDPE components reported to be recycled and recyclable.[7]
- Adaptability: According to project documentation, the barrier is designed for an operational lifespan of up to 20 years with routine maintenance and is intended to be able to be deployed across a range of seabed types.[4]
Two divers working to connect the barrier pipes to the base blocks for an early prototype of the SharkSafe Barrier (La Réunion, 2017)
A diver working on the installation of a SharkSafe Barrier in the Bahamas (August, 2025)
Structure of the HDPE pipes and magnets of the SharkSafe Barrier
Trials and Implementation
[edit]Multiple field studies have examined shark responses to the SharkSafe Barrier under both experimental and fully operational conditions, identifying the SharkSafe Barrier's efficacy in reducing shark encounters while minimising ecological interference.[8][9][10][11][12][13]
Both field studies and media reports have suggested that the barrier may represent a non-lethal alternative to shark nets or other control methods, such as drumlines.[4] It has been referenced by marine conservation groups for its focus on non-lethal deterrence.[14]
Surface view of the latest SharkSafeBarrier installation in the Bahamas (August, 2025)
A school of schoolmaster snapper (Lutjanus apodus) visiting the site of the most recent SharkSafe Barrier installation in the Bahamas (August, 2025)
Notable activities include:
- 2019: Trial of a 10-metre × 10-metre barrier to observe bull shark behaviour in La Réunion.[15]
- 2023: Installation of a 30-metre section in the Bahamas. [5]
- 2025: Installation of a 16-metre section in the Bahamas in conjunction with Sea Me Dive.[16][17]
- Nouméa, New Caledonia: Shortlisted for a government procurement process.[18]
- Recife, Brazil: Selected through a public competition focused on shark mitigation technologies.[19]
The installation team at the newest site of the SharkSafe Barrier in the Bahamas (August, 2025)
Dr Andreotti giving a presentation on the Shark Safe Barrier in Nouméa, New Caledonia
Recognition and Awards
[edit]The SharkSafe Barrier has received various recognition's:
- Recipient of the NSTF–Lewis Foundation Green Economy Award.[22]
- Finalist in the France Tech4Island Awards for Smart Eco-Responsible Tourism.[23]
- Featured on the World Economic Forum's UpLink platform as an ocean-related innovation.[24]
- Finalist in the 2020 Australian Ocean Impact Pitchfest.[25]
- Exhibited at Biomim’expo 2020 in Paris.[26]
The SharkSafe Barrier project has received support from organisations including SHARKPROJECT, Humane Society International, and the 1000 Ocean Startups Coalition.[23][27]
Reported funding for the project has included angel investments and a repayable loan from Conservation International Ventures.[28]
Deployment and ongoing research
[edit]
Research continues to examine the SharkSafe barrier under varied ecological and oceanographic conditions.[15] Expansion efforts have been reported in regions with frequent human-shark interactions, including Brazil, Australia, and the Caribbean.[28][19][29][30][31]
Media coverage has noted that the barrier may serve as a non-lethal alternative to shark nets, while highlighting that long term effectiveness and scalability remain under study.[5][15]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Duvenage, Engela (2024-03-20). "Nature Positive: Marine conservation innovation goes global". Nature Africa. doi:10.1038/d44148-024-00070-5. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- 1 2 "SharkSafe Barrier boosts eco-friendly ocean safety". Stellenbosch University. 2024-01-22. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- 1 2 "Beyond the Blue: South African-Designed Shark Barriers Redefine Ocean Safety Worldwide". Shark Guardian. 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- 1 2 3 "Saving sharks, protecting people, preserving oceans: The story of the SharkSafe Barrier". UNIDO. 2023-12-12. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- 1 2 3 "These magnetic SA-made shark barriers are now used in the Bahamas". News24. 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ↑ "SA shark barrier tech scores first commercial installation". Engineering News. 2023-10-31. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ↑ "SharkSafe Barrier: An Eco-Friendly Shark Deterrent Device". WIPO. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ↑ O'Connell, C. P.; Andreotti, S.; Rutzen, M.; Meyer, M.; Matthee, C. A. (2019). "The influence of kelp density on white shark presence within the Dyer Island Nature Reserve, South Africa". Ocean & Coastal Management. 179: 104819.
- ↑ O'Connell, C. P.; Hyun, S.-Y.; Gruber, S. H.; O'Connell, T. J.; Johnson, G.; Grudecki, K.; He, P. (2014). "The use of permanent magnets to reduce elasmobranch encounter with a simulated beach net. I. The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas)". Ocean & Coastal Management.
- ↑ O'Connell, C. P.; Hyun, S.-Y.; Rillahan, C. B.; He, P. (2014). "Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) exclusion properties of the SharkSafe Barrier and behavioral validation using ARIS technology". Global Ecology and Conservation. 2: 300–314.
- ↑ O'Connell, C. P.; Andreotti, S.; Rutzen, M.; Meyer, M.; He, P. (2012). "The use of permanent magnets to reduce elasmobranch encounter with a simulated beach net. II. The great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias)". Ocean & Coastal Management. 97: 20–28.
- ↑ O'Connell, C. P.; Andreotti, S.; Rutzen, M.; Meyer, M.; Matthee, C. A.; He, P. (2014). "Effects of the SharkSafe Barrier on white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) behavior and its implications for future conservation technologies". Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 460: 37–46.
- ↑ O'Connell, C. P.; Andreotti, S.; Rutzen, M.; Meyer, M.; Matthee, C. A. (2017). "Testing the exclusion capabilities and durability of the SharkSafe Barrier to determine its viability as an eco-friendly alternative to current shark culling methodologies". Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems: 1–7.
- ↑ "SharkSafe Barrier: Magnetic Fields Deter Sharks". Business Insider. 2023-12-01. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- 1 2 3 "SharkSafe Barrier™ withstands two years of testing at La Réunion Island". Stellenbosch University. 2021-04-07. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ↑ "Shark Safe Barrier™ – Protecting People and Marine Biodiversity with Sustainable Innovation". Sea Me Dive. Sea Me Dive. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ↑ "SharkSafe Barrier™ Newsletter April 2025". SharkSafe Barrier™. SharkSafe Barrier™. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ↑ "SA-designed SharkSafe Barrier expands to international waters". CapeTownEtc. 2023-11-03. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
- 1 2 "Inovação Aberta – 2ª Fase". EITA! Recife. sites.google.com/recife.pe.gov.br. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ↑ "SharkSafe Barrier awarded Solar Impulse Efficient Solution label". Innovus (Stellenbosch University tech transfer). 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
- ↑ "SharkSafe Barrier – Solar Impulse Efficient Solution". Solar Impulse Solutions Explorer. Solar Impulse Foundation. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ↑ "Sharksafe (Pty) Ltd – NSTF Lewis Foundation Green Economy Award". National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF). 2020-12-11. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
- 1 2 "Shark barrier tech from South Africa installed in Bahamas". Mail & Guardian. 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
- ↑ "SharkSafe Barrier highlighted on UpLink platform". World Economic Forum / UpLink. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
- ↑ "SharkSafe Barrier – Pitchfest 2020 Startup Spotlight". Ocean Impact. 2020. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
- ↑ "SharkSafe Barrier showcased at Biomim'expo 2020". Biomim’expo. 2020-08-12. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
- ↑ "1000 Ocean Startups Coalition — SharkSafe Barrier member". 1000 Ocean Startups. 2022. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
- 1 2 "Conservation International Ventures Supports SharkSafe Barriers Investment". Conservation International. 2023-04-26. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
- ↑ "Revolutionizing the concept of shark management". EurekAlert!. American Association for the Advancement of Science. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ↑ "Conservation International Ventures Supports Shark Conservation and Coexistence with SharkSafe Barriers Investment". Conservation International. conservation.org. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ↑ "Saving sharks, protecting people, preserving oceans: The story of the SharkSafe Barrier". UNIDO. 2023-12-12. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
Category:Shark conservation Category:Marine conservation Category:Shark attack prevention Category:Environmental engineering Category:Human–wildlife conflict
Please delete the portions which were LLM-generated, and summarize in your own words a range of independent, reliable, published sources that discuss the subject. If you have used an LLM but you believe that your use is covered by one of the two exceptions (basic copyediting and translation between two languages in which you are fully fluent), please provide a transcript of the prompt(s) you used while writing your draft (see the how-to guide). Reviewers can make mistakes. If you have not received any LLM assistance, you may seek a second opinion at the AfC Help Desk.
See the advice page on large language models for more information.