2006 Grand Prize Winner - Implementing the Winning Idea

DETERRING SHARKS WITH MAGNETS

Michael Herrmann, United States

At the time of winning his grand prize, Michael Hermann’s idea had only been tested in lab conditions and in limited field control situations with proves effectiveness for only 2 shark species. Since that time, an additional 4 species have been successfully added to the repellent list, with trials continuing on another 6 species, and additional species trials planned.

Michael Hermann’s company, Shark Defense, are planning trials from a commercial pelagic longline fishing vessel fishing in the Florida East Coast or South Atlantic Bight fishery during 2007.

Shark Defense is also currently seeking funding to conduct more extensive trials in the Atlantic, and interested parties should contact them directly. Further research sets will provide more information to confirm shark bycatch reduction rates due to experimental treatments. Additional information can be found at www.sharkdefense.com and www.oceanmagnetics.com