Shark Shield Bites Back

Business Week ^ | 3/5/06 | Ian Cochran

[voletti]

In the wake of two especially brutal attacks in Australia, ocean-lovers can try a new invention to ward off the toothy terrors This year got off to a bad start in Australia, which had its first fatality in January when 21-year-old Sarah Whiley died from shock and blood loss after being savaged by up to three bull sharks while swimming off a Queensland beach. A short time after, Bernie Williams was mauled on the elbow by a Great White, diving not far from Perth. The animal then proceeded to stalk him while he hid in a crevice on the ocean floor. The shark only disappeared after one of Williams' buddies showed up with a Shark Shield. Available from Australia's SeaChange Technology, Shark Shield is targeted at anyone who loves the marine environment but is concerned about encountering sharks. It can be used by boaters, divers, windsurfers, and snorkelers, and if successful, could well turn out to be the must-have accessory for those who wish to minimize the risk of an unpleasant scrape with the ocean's top predator.

[Doe Eyes]

"Dissing" sharks can be very dangerous.

[R. Scott]

…there were 61 unprovoked shark attacks around the world in 2004; seven of these resulted in fatalities.

Silly? Out of the literally millions of people in the water, 61 were bit and 7 (seven!) died. I think I was pretty safe.

[Wheee The People]

I just pass gas in the water. It makes a kewl balloon in my swim suit, neat bubbles and it scares off everything for a mile away.

[humblegunner]

My Glock will work under water.

[A knight without armor]

I think it is like anything else. These numbers are people who were worth reporting. I bet many shark attacks and deaths simply go unreported or at least don't get beyond the victim's village.

[R. Scott]

A very real possibly, but even including those it is not so great a danger that I will worry about it.

[A knight without armor]

I'd love to see a shark. I don't know if the Atlanta Aquarium has a great white shark or not. If so, it would probably come over to the window and look at me in the same manner that I gaze through the counter glass at a bowl of meatballs at the deli.

[R. Scott]

If so, it would probably come over to the window and look at me in the same manner that I gaze through the counter glass at a bowl of meatballs at the deli.

From what I have read, sharks don’t like Long Pig – not enough fat.
Oh! How I used to like meatballs before I started getting in shape!

[wildbill]

I keep hearing all the time about how shark attacks are often caused by the shark's failure to distinguish between humans and seals.

But every time I see one of these devices, it's color is black, just like a seal. Does anyone detect a failure to communicate here?

[Eaker]

Yes it will.

It will not chamber the next round though without a spring change.

But you can do that yourself.

Either or.