Shark Repellent Hook
Scientists have created a shark repellent hook that will help reduce shark bycatch of commercial fisherman. The “SMART hook” uses magnetic and galvanic metal repellent to make the sharks less likely to take the bait. Sharks are have a keen electric sense and the SMART hook has enough magnetism to interfere with the electric sense in the shark’s nose. A study on the effectiveness of the hooks revealed that on a recreational hook level there was a 66% reduction in baits taken by sharks and on the commercial hook level there was a 94% reduction of baits taken (the larger commercial hooks have more magnetism and shark repellent metals). For more on the SMART hooks click here.
