LED Lights on Boards Could Deter Great White Sharks

Recent research reveals that LED lights on the underside of surfboards or kayaks may reduce the risk of great white shark attacks. Led by Dr. Laura Ryan at Macquarie University in Sydney, the study suggests that illuminating the underside of boards could make them less attractive to these sharks by disrupting the dark silhouette that usually signals prey.

The study used seal-shaped decoys in South Africa’s Mossel Bay, with lights installed on the underside. Researchers found that brightly lit decoys were followed and attacked by sharks far less often than unlit ones. According to Dr. Ryan, great whites often rely on seeing a dark object silhouetted against brighter water, which they associate with potential prey. “If you flip that to a light object on a dark background, then it doesn’t seem to be something they recognize as prey,” she explained.

In previous research, Dr. Ryan suggested that shark attacks on humans might be due to mistaken identity. Young great whites, in particular, may struggle to distinguish between seals and surfers because they see only basic shapes. Additional research shows sharks have limited color perception, making them rely heavily on outlines.

While covering the entire underside of a surfboard with lights proved effective, it’s impractical due to high battery requirements. Ryan’s team explored alternatives, finding that LED stripes placed horizontally had a similar effect. This configuration broadened the decoy’s appearance, making it less seal-like to the sharks. However, other lighting arrangements, such as longitudinal stripes and strobe lights, didn’t work as well. Dr. Ryan noted, “Just that small glimpse of the entire silhouette was enough for the white sharks to start biting the decoys.”

The research team plans to test surfboard prototypes equipped with lighting to gauge real-world practicality. “Surfers can be a little bit fussy with their surfboards,” said Dr. Ryan, adding, “As a surfer, I want it to be usable.”

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