The key weapon to stop beachgoers from shark attacks might have been swimming within the ocean alongside the predators all along.
Last 12 months, 47 people were attacked by sharks, based on the International Shark File.
Finding yourself within the jaws of a shark remains to be exceedingly rare – however the fear of the animals remains to be felt across the globe.
Many of the world’s shark attacks are reported from the coast of Florida. Last 12 months alone, 28 encounters were reported within the Sunshine State.
Soon, beachgoers and surfers could avoid the fear of a bite altogether – due to a surprising discovery in shark bite prevention.
Researchers from University College Dublin and Florida Atlantic University found that cuttlefish ink works as a ‘chemical repellant’ for the beasts.
Cuttlefish are present in a lot of the world’s oceans, except the Americas. A squid-like creature, they feed on small fish and crustaceans.
Additionally they secrete a dark ink, composed mainly of melanin – which might overwhelm shark’s senses of smell, which is the essential way they hunt.
Researcher Colleen Lawless said: ‘By leveraging what we’ve discovered, it could be possible to deploy secure and targeted repellents near beaches, aquaculture signs or fishing zones, to attenuate encounters between sharks and humans.’
Cuttlefish ink has a molecular structure which might almost attach itself to shark’s scent receptors – making it difficult for them to hunt, and persuading them to seek out other waters to swim in.
If utilised appropriately, it’s hoped the cuttlefish ink could possibly be used as an environmentally-friendly shark deterrent for popular beaches.
Current technology to repel sharks ranges from electronic armbands to wide nets at popular coastlines.
But they aren’t all the time successful – one teenager who was gifted the ‘shark repelling armband’ for Christmas was still bitten by one.
The bands send out a magnetic field which goals to disrupt the electro-receptors sharks use to navigate the ocean.
They’ve them of their snouts to work out what things within the water are, but once they encounter a magnetic field it causes them discomfort, even though it doesn’t harm them.
The cuttlefish ink could provide a more successful method to repel sharks from taking a bite out of unwitting swimmers and surfers.
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