<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/21/new-gadget-could-reduce-shark-bycatch-by-90>
"Marine scientists have designed a piece of technology that could drastically
reduce shark bycatch by emitting short electrical pulses as a deterrent.
The small battery-powered device, known as SharkGuard, reduced the numbers of
blue sharks accidentally caught by commercial fishing gear in a French longline
tuna fishery in the Mediterranean by 91% and stingrays by 71%, according to a
study in the peer-reviewed journal
Current Biology.
Clipped on to the line next to a baited hook, SharkGuard emits a short pulse
every two seconds. When that pulse temporarily overstimulates the electrical
sensors around a shark’s nose and mouth – called the ampullae of Lorenzini –
the shark swims away.
Dr Phil Doherty, lecturer in marine conservation science at the University of
Exeter and lead author of the study, said that although SharkGuard is doing
what it has been designed to do, further sea trials are required to assess its
effectiveness in other fisheries.
“It’s reducing blue shark and pelagic [oceanic, not bottom dwelling] stingray
catch on these hooks, so we can be quite confident for these species in this
fishery,” he said. “But [SharkGuard] needs to be designed on a case-by-case
basis to ensure it’s fit for purpose.”
Every year an estimated 100 million sharks, skates and rays are killed by
fishing and bycatch. Since 1970, the global abundance of oceanic sharks and
rays has declined by 71% due to fishing practices."
Via
Future Crunch issue 192:
https://futurecrunch.com/
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
