We’re excited about the recent research into the relationship between sharks and magnets, especially with Discovery Channel’s Shark Week coming up in August! If you aren’t yet familiar with Shark Week, it is a legendary week full of programming dedicated to the underwater predators and has been broadcast since 1987. Sharks are no doubt amazing creatures, which is partially why we found the concept of magnetic shark barriers an interesting one. The chance of being fatally attacked by a shark is actually shockingly low-a 1 in 3,700,000 chance according to the National Geographic. However, in some beach areas like Western Australia, where the number of fatal encounters is highest, measures are being taken to prevent more from occurring. However, these methods are often dangerous for the marine life. Some beaches have installed netting that can harm fish and other life, while some areas practice shark culling, a brutal method that uses hooks to capture sharks.

What Are Magnetic Shark Barriers

Scientists from the University of Stellenbosch are searching for alternative ways to protect swimmers and sharks without harming them or other marine life. Recent reports suggest that they may be onto something too, with a magnetic barrier that they call, SharkSafe. The barrier would be made of a shield of permanent magnets, placed in protective tubes and disguised as a kelp forest. When sharks tried to cross over it, they would be repelled by the applied magnetic field. According to a research fellow at Stellenbosch, the repulsion would cause no harm to the sharks, just momentary discomfort that is comparable to a human hearing a horn.

How The Magnetic Barrier Works

The theory is that certain species of sharks are repelled by magnetic fields. This is reportedly due to the sensory organs that they have called the ampullae of Lumpini. The ampullae of Lumpini are a series of electroreceptors that line the head of sharks and detect electromagnetic fields. We can’t say that this magnetic shield is beyond penetration but some scientists may conclude that the research suggests it could be possible, or at the least, effective in decreasing the number of beach attacks. However, research is still being completed to test the overall effectiveness of magnetic barriers on various shark species. Either way, their work is providing some fascinating insight into the interplay between wildlife and magnetism. Photo source: Fallows C, Gallagher AJ, Hammerschlag N (2013)