shark deterrent technology (Shark Shield)

The shark deterrent technology works by surrounding the user with an electrical field which impacts on sensory organs located around the snout of the shark. These receptors, called the Ampullae of Lorenzini, appear as many tiny black dots on the snout of the shark.

The receptors are filled with an electrically-conductive gel, which in turn connects to the shark's central nervous system.

As sharks approach the transmitter, the initial discomfort increases until it becomes intolerable. The sharks then leave the immediate area.
Shark Shield technology has attracted significant attention within the US and Australian military. Following a visit to Shark Shield by the US Deputy Under Secretary for Defence, the US military is to bring Shark Shield into the FCT (Foreign Comparative Testing) regime.

Shark Shield has developed a specialist Shark Shield unit, MILT01, in conjunction with the Australian Elite Forces. This product is now in service and has a NATO stock number.

Shark Shield units are being trialled by Royal Australian Navy clearance divers, and are in service with the US Pacific Fleet in Hawaii.

In a partly related market, there is hardly a police force dive squad in Australia that does not use Shark Shield.

Design Options

Shark Shield is generally able to tailor Shark Shield units specifically to the needs of the military. In the case of the MILT01 a specific requirement was to reduce the individual field strength of the unit to allow minimum interference by adjacent divers, but still give the protection desired. In fact, each individual team propagates a combined field like a miniature envelope surrounding the group.

Description	Pertinent information
The field generated by the Shark Shield™ is detected by the shark through sensory receptors, known as the Ampullae of Lorenzini, situated on the snout of all predator sharks. The initial discomfort increases if the sharks approach the transmitter until it becomes intolerable. The sharks then leave the immediate area.	Shark Shield offers a range of products suitable for military uses ranging from US$625.00 to US$1,550.00 MILT01: Protection for rapid response and covert missions The Freedom 7: Used by divers, snorkellers, swimmers, surfers, spearfishermen, kayakers Scuba 7: For use by scuba divers only as a full length wet suit/dry suit must be worn Mariner: For placement over the side of a boat to create a safety zone, or to create a safety zone around strategically placed buoys Future Products: Protection for crew overboard situations, PFDs and protecting downed aircrew Protection for submarine towed arrays.
Status	Company
Shark Shield now represents an Occupational Health and Safety breakthrough. It means employers -- from military authorities, to government departments, to boat owners and tourism operators -- can meet their duty of care obligations by keeping staff safe in the water. The potential for this was emphasised by a recommendation of the South Australian Coroner in April 2003, following an inquest into the death of a commercial scallop diver killed by a Great White Shark. The Coroner recommended that all divers operating in waters where there is a risk of the presence of sharks should wear a shark repellent device such as the Shark Shield.	Team Australia - Shark Shield Pty Ltd