Early Shark Detection & Bather Protection Technology Unveiled By Local South African Company

Early Shark Detection & Bather Protection Technology Unveiled By Local South African Company

What started 6 months ago as an environmental discussion on a trip back from Mozambique has led a local South African survey company, Land & Marine Surveys, to unveil a new set of complementary technologies for early shark detection.

Clint Marx – “I’ve always wanted to give something back to nature, to try and use my knowledge and equipment in a more positive way – so our discussion got me thinking on how I could use the acoustic equipment I already had – this led to other things.”

L&M Surveys (lmsurveys.co.za) have been for the last 6 months carefully investigating and evaluating various complimentary components with the goal to assemble and combine an early shark detection and warning system – to be as comprehensive a system as possible. The end product will have scope to continue to evolve and improve upon itself as other new technologies become available.

L&M Surveys has over 25 years of local and international experience in most facets of survey and specialising in all things marine especially underwater acoustics. L&M have been responsible for some innovative solutions over the years and remain at the front of modern survey technology by constantly assembling and using equipment in “out of the ordinary” situations.

“We are at a point now where we are ready to start trials and are busy finalising a test area. There are still some minor technical hurdles to cross but I am a firm believer that everything is possible.”, says CO Clint Marx.

The various components that make up the shark detection system have also been carefully evaluated to make sure they are environmentally friendly.

“There’s no point in offering a system which is detrimental to the environment – even if it is to protect ocean users – our oceans are already over stressed as it is. Working in harmony is fundamental for us and forms the basis of our philosophy.”

Unfortunately events like that which happened to Mick Fanning over the weekend do tend to get blown out of all proportion and sensationalised by the media. While an extremely terrifying event to witness by all, least of which Mick himself, these events are extremely rare when considered. If you listen to most pro surfers interviewed none can recall something like this happening before and that is going back some 60 years of international surf events around the world. However encounters or interactions will still take place – we hope to minimise these by adding our system as additional safety to augment what is already in place. Hopefully the reduction in encounters will reduce the bad rap that sharks have got.

“In addition the scientific and public awareness spinoffs are mind boggling. It is our intention to open up the data gathered by our systems to the science world and the public at large to try and create more awareness of the beautiful world below the water.”

Trials are expected to take 6 months to a year. However should things look promising before this there are options to start rolling the systems out early on other beaches to continue as a local trial.

At this important stage, it is noted that we do not need kneejerk reactions but meaningful disciplined scientific evaluation over time before one can say a shark detection system is functional to the extent that is acceptable to the environment.

Clint Marx is out on assignment on The Suez and will be back early August but can be reached on:

LMSurveys are on http://www.lmsurveys.co.za, or contact Clint Marx directly on +27 82 455 6338 or clint@lmsurveys.co.za