5 years, 3 months ago

Virtual shark deterrent set to open at Busselton Jetty in bid to encourage more tourists to swim

A world first electromagnetic 'shark curtain' will be installed this week at an iconic tourist attraction in the south-west of Western Australia. Key points: The Busselton Jetty will host a world first trial of a virtual 'shark curtain' The virtual barrier is made up of 20 devices emitting electromagnetic pulses The pulses deter sharks and manta rays, but do not harm other marine life The Busselton Jetty is the longest timber-plied jetty in the southern hemisphere and last year attracted more than 500,000 visitors. "People want to get into the water and they want to see our amazing marine life, but they have this unsubstantiated fear that there is always something out there," Busselton Jetty CEO Lisa Shreeve said. To help alleviate those fears, 20 electromagnetic devices will form a 50 metre by 20 metre barrier at the end of the jetty, creating a virtual curtain to keep sharks and manta rays away. "I think there is un unsubstantiated fear that there are a number of sharks out in the ocean and the Busselton jetty goes 1.8 kilometres out to sea.

ABC

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