Researchers have been evaluating the effectiveness of new bite-resistant wetsuits designed to mitigate injuries from shark attacks.
The testing involved simulations against great white and tiger sharks, species identified as being responsible for the majority of unprovoked bites.
The study, carried out by Flinders University in South Australia, evaluated four distinct bite-resistant fabrics with the goal of minimizing injuries and preventing blood loss.
The most recent fatal attack in SA occurred in January at Granites Beach on the West Coast.
Mason Smith, a surfer, highlighted the anxieties surrounding the sport.
“Surfing alone, I definitely get a bit nervous and eerie that there’s a shark,” Smith said.
” … It’d make me feel heaps more comfortable wearing a shark resistant wetsuit.”
The findings of the research are expected to contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve ocean safety and reduce the risk of shark-related injuries.
“Nowadays with all the different technologies and devices available we are at the point where we can reduce the risk of shark bites,” Huveneers said.
