ADELAIDE, Australia (15 Jan 2006) -- Government officials in Australia have warned the public to ignore recent media hype that 'shark pods' and 'shark shields' prevent sharks from attacking humans. Rory McAulay, a shark expert with the Department of Fisheries, says that although the devices may offer some protection, people should not assume shark shield units will prevent shark attacks. McAulay cited the limited range of the units and inadequate field testing to back up manufacture claims that Shark Shield devices actually prevent shark attacks. SeaChange Technology, which manufactures and markets Shark Shield products primarily to divers and surfers, cites its own testing program and testimonials from customers as prove the units are effective in preventing shark attacks. But the company also admits in fine print disclaimers that it cannot guarantee Shark Shield products actually work. "Sharks can be dangerous and often unpredictable creatures. While great care has been taken, and extensive testing has been done, to develop and manufacture the Shark Shield™, it is simply impossible to guarantee that all sharks will be deterred under all circumstances. With or without the protection of a Shark Shield™, all sharks should be treated with respect and caution. Water sport participation in the presence of sharks is inherently dangerous. Any human activity in the water near sharks must always be considered as possessing a considerable degree of risk." In the wake of recent shark attacks in Australia, local media and tourism promoters have been quick to trumpet the benefits of shark repellents. | | Buy one Shark Shield and get one free bottle of Snake Oil cologne! HURRY--OFFER ENDS TODAY! A scuba diver who survived a great white shark attack off Perth on Sunday credited his dive buddy's shark pod for saving his life. But many shark experts say that electrical shark repellents are not effective against great whites and other large sharks common in coastal waters around Australia. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
