The Shark Shield surf model, designed to protect surfers by deterring sharks, was put to the test last week in South Africa. It was activated on a float carrying bait when a shark approached and rather than being deterred by the device as it should have been, bit into it.
Rod Hartley, director of Sea Change Technology, which manufactures the Shark Shields, said the failure of the product was due to a problem with the electrode’s configuration. The Shark Shield is now packaged with a large disclaimer warning it would only repel sharks when the surfer was still in the water waiting for a wave - so you’re covered just as long as you don’t paddle or ride waves.
