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It’s no secret that the unintentional capture of sharks in commercial fishing significantly contributes to the threat of extinction faced by over a hundred shark species. However, a groundbreaking study has innovatively proposed a cheap and effective solution to this pressing issue. According to the research, a small electric field generated around fishing hooks using readily available and non-magnetic materials such as zinc and graphite can effectively deter many shark species.
The study, conducted in the coastal waters off Florida, revealed that the use of small zinc-and-graphite blocks rigged next to fishing hooks reduced shark catch by approximately two-thirds. The lead scientist of the study, Professor Stephen Kajiura, from Florida Atlantic University, emphasizes that this method is effective in repelling sharks without affecting the fishermen’s ability to catch their target species. Kajiura and his team are now looking into commercial applications of this ingenious method.
Sharks are known for their electrosensitivity, a characteristic that researchers have attempted to exploit for decades with mixed results to develop devices that deter them from fishing hooks. Previous techniques, which often involved the use of magnets or rare elements, were deemed impractical as magnets tend to stick to various objects on a fishing vessel. By contrast, the new method developed by Kajiura and his team is not only practical but also cost-effective, setting the stage for a promising future in sustainable commercial fishing practices.
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