The first electronic shark deterrent system

14/2/2007

Shark Shield Launches New Product Designed Specifically For Surfers
Adelaide
, South Australia (Monday 12th February)

Shark Shield Pty Ltd has released the first electronic shark deterrent system specifically designed for surfers. Weighing only 355 grams - and 80 grams in the water - the new system attaches to the tail of any surfboard. Shark ShieldTM SURF gives all surfers the opportunity to feel safe in the ocean; piece of mind for themselves and their families.
 
Shark attacks can occur at any time, at any beach, anywhere in the world. On Monday 19th December a surfer was attached by a shark at Winki-Pop, near Bells Beach. His leg was severely lacerated behind the knee and on the calf muscle. If the surfer was using a Shark Shield this attack was avoidable. This summer there has been a number of other attacks on surfers and other ocean users all over Australia and throughout the rest of the world – all shark Attacks are preventable.
 
The Shark Shield SURF generates an electrical field that is detected by the shark through its sensory receptors, known as the Ampullae of Lorenzini, found on the snouts of sharks. Once detected by the shark’s sensors, the field causes muscular spasms that result in the shark being deterred from the area. The field is projected from electrodes in the tail of the unit that trail off the back of the surfboard, much like a legrope. This creates an elliptical field that surrounds the user with a shark safe zone that is up to eight meters in diameter.
 
Scientific tests, as well as observations, show the field emitted by the Shark Shield causes discomfort to the shark, which can eventually lead to muscular spasms. However, once the shark leaves the area, there is no lasting detrimental effect to the shark.
 
Since 2000 Shark Shield technology has been proven time and time again, their products are used by sporting, diving and fishing professionals, the Australian and US police and military, including the SAS and has also been issued with a NATO stock number.
 
The Shark Shield SURF includes deck grip, mounting plate and 240 volt charger. It is placed on the tail of the any surfboard, although the deck grip is optional. Mounting plates can be placed on numerous surfboards and the Shark Shield can then be transferred between surfboards. Legropes are easily fitted underneath the Shark Shield.
 
Shark Shield SURF recommended retail price is $696. All Shark Shields are Australian made. The Shark Shield SURF is powered by a seven hour plus
rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Optional extras include additional Mounting Plates, a Tote Bag, Deck Grip, and an in-car charger.

Further information and video footage on how Shark Shield works is available at http://www.sharkshield.com <http://www.sharkshield.com/>
 
About Shark Shield
Shark Shield products currently provide protection from sharks for professional and recreational divers, snorkelers, swimmers, surfers, spearfishers, kayakers, boat owners, commercial fishermen, as well as emergency, police and military personnel around the world. We are proud of our environmental qualification. Shark Shield is set to reduce the slaughter of marine animals directly by ultimately replacing shark nets, and indirectly by protecting people and installations from sharks. This is expected to reduce the clamour to kill sharks. Shark Shield has no long term effect on sharks or indeed any other creature.
Shark Shield is increasing the levels of participation in water sports and helps make people's working environment that much safer.
 
Images: All images attached are owned by Shark Shield. Images are cleared for use by media for promotional use only. Higher resolution images are available on request.
 

For further information please contact:
Carlo Lowdon
Ionization Marketing Agency
www.ionization.com.au <http://www.ionization.com.au/>
Email:
carlo.lowdon@ionization.com.au
Phone: + 61 (0)419 405 158
Office: +61 (0)3 5261 6472
 
For information regarding Wholesale and retail distribution:
Steve Adcock
Sales and Marketing Director
www.sharkshield.com <http://www.sharkshield.com/>
Email: steve.adcock@sharkshield.com
Phone:  +61 (0)8 8355 4700
Fax: +61 (0)8 8355 4800