Shark Shield Sales Boom - Australia

For one of the few technologies that actually work - when used correctly, we're not surprised by the news coming out of Australia this week. Nothing replaces common sense when dealing with sharks.

Sales of an Australian-made device to repel sharks are booming after three recent attacks in Sydney.

SeaChange Technology, the Adelaide company that produces the electronic "Shark Shield", says inquiries have tripled over the past two months and sales have increased by 50 per cent.

"We cannot keep up with production. Twice in the past two months we've increased our production line only to find immediately that we have to do it again," SeaChange Technology co-founder Paul Lunn said.

The device, which costs between $600 and $700 depending on the model, weighs 80 grams and can fit into the palm of a man's hand.It works by releasing electrical impulses that are painful to sharks within seven or eight metres.

"The shark is only affected while it's in the zone of the waveform of the unit. Once it gets out of that, there's no long-term damage at all," Mr Lunn said.Police dive squads in each Australian state have implemented a mandatory-use policy for the "Shark Shield" and NATO has accredited it for use by the military.

Editors Note: In response to increased use of Shark Shield technology by film and television companies, Shark Shield Pty Ltd has appointed Shark Divers as its official regulatory authority for the Northern Hemisphere.

Shark Shield Announces New Strategic Partnership

In response to increased use of Shark Shield technology by film and television companies, Shark Shield Pty Ltd has appointed Shark Divers as its official regulatory authority for the Northern Hemisphere. Director of Operations, Luke Tipple, will oversee all production issues concerning Shark Shield while Ian (shark) Gordon will represent the Southern Hemisphere. Our mutual goal is to ensure safe and effective use of our product while ensuring our strict standards of use are maintained.

Northern Hemisphere contact: staff@sharkdivers.com
Southern Hemisphere contact: ote@ozemail.co.au

Shark Shield TM is a unique shark deterrent system utilizing a technologically advanced three-dimensional electronic wave form. Shark Shield units are designed for recreational users and water sports professionals alike and aim to help all people enjoy and work in the ocean with a new dimension of peace of mind for themselves, their families and employers.

Shark Shield provides proven protection against all predatory shark species including Great Whites, Tigers, Zambezi's (Bulls), Makos and Bronze Whalers, among others. The electronic pulse emitted repels the shark by inducing muscle spasms via stimulation of the Ampluae of Lorenzini, the sensory organs present on sharks' snouts. There is no permanent damage to the animal, or harm to the environment. Shark Shield products are proven to repel sharks.

Filming shark sequences for commercial use frequently requires manufacturing an unnatural environment to attract sharks which can change their behavior and create a heightened danger for humans. The incorrect deployment of a Shark Shield product either intentionally or unintentionally could reduce the effectiveness of our products. For both safety and legal reasons we cannot and will not permit this to occur and have implemented a film and television usage policy which is conditional.

Shark Shield products must only be used by film and television productions after written approval is obtained from either of our official authorities or Shark Shield Pty Ltd itself and Shark Shield products must only be used in accordance with the conditional terms provided by the authority. Both authorities are recognised authorities in the field of working with sharks and understand Shark Shield technology.

Legal action may be taken against film or television companies using a Shark Shield for shoots when approval has not been granted.

Important Note

No shark deterrent system should be a replacement for the understanding of sharks and the site you are operating in, as well as the safety crews you employ. Shark deterrent systems are and always will be a last line of defense for any shark shoot or shark site you have in place. Certain water activities inherently involve the danger of potential shark encounters or attacks. Shark Shield has proven effective in deterring said instances however, due to the variables present with ocean and animal behaviors it should not be considered a completely foolproof system.

Shark Tech-Shark Shield gets Coroner's Nod

Following what was nothing short of an online and media "witch hunt" the makers of the Shark Shield (note: Shark Diver uses and endorses this product) have seemingly turned a corner with the latest findings from the Australian Coroners office.

We blogged about this subject a few weeks ago. Shark Diver maintained when used correctly, this product does deter sharks.

In our case we have used this product for film and television work where extra site security is called for when filming sharks. Nothing on the market replaces or should replace common sense, site knowledge, local shark knowledge and gut instinct when swimming with sharks:


Shark Shield gets Coroner's nod

LACHLAN JARDINE

Recent coroner’s findings have supported the use of the Shark Shield device as a shark deterrent.

The inquest came after the shark attack death of an Adelaide University student, Jarrod Stehbens, while diving for cuttlefish eggs off Adelaide in August, 2005. The inquest also found claims that the device caused health problems or attracted sharks were unwarranted.

Paul Lunn, a former KI resident, first introduced the device to Australia through an agency, which was run out of a shed at Island Concrete in Kingscote.

The Shark Shield was originally from South Africa and called the Shark Pod. The Shark Pod was “cumbersome, had a low battery life and components often failed,” Mr Lunn said. The potential market was recognised by Paul and wife Charmaine Zealand. They developed the Shark Shield by making the original smaller, lighter, more reliable and made the battery last longer.

Shark Shield released a statement after the Coroners findings were published, “We are pleased the Coroner has quickly cleared the air and acknowledged the effectiveness of Shark Shields. We still remain concerned that many unfounded allegations aired during the Coronial Inquest could put lives at risk. It would be a terrible tragedy if one more life was lost because divers, surfers or other water user - or their places of employment - had lost faith in such life-saving technology,” Mr Lunn said.

After years of testing and development the Shark Shield is now used by many government departments, police diving squads, professional and amateur divers and surfers as well as being tested for Military use.

Shark Shield Technology-A Testamonial

A quick word about the Shark Shield. Recently a nasty lawsuit and media storm over the Shark Shields ability to deter sharks and effectiveness has surfaced.

The details are here.

We would like to weigh in on this technology. For the past two years the crew of Shark Diver have used these dive units in a variety of places and situations with several different species of sharks, including big macro predators.

The result is always the same, deterrence. In short these units work, each time and every time. For an operation that introduces divers to sharks in baited situations it's nice to know that you have an additional layer of dive security on site. For the film crews we work with they insist on multi-layer shark security when filming. These units allow us to offer that.

Shark Diver Disclaimer:

These units are never to be used as a first layer of shark diver security. Knowing the animals you will be encountering, the area you are diving, and having rock solid diver safety protocols should be your first and foremost consideration. Always leave the area if you have baited sharks and they are acting in a manner that causes concern. Shark Shields should be pre-tested on the animals you will be encountering prior to commercial use to gauge response.