Dataset Information

Effects of an electric field on white sharks: in situ testing of an electric deterrent.

ABSTRACT: Elasmobranchs can detect minute electromagnetic fields, <1 nV cm(-1), using their ampullae of Lorenzini. Behavioural responses to electric fields have been investigated in various species, sometimes with the aim to develop shark deterrents to improve human safety. The present study tested the effects of the Shark Shield Freedom7™ electric deterrent on (1) the behaviour of 18 white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) near a static bait, and (2) the rates of attacks on a towed seal decoy. In the first experiment, 116 trials using a static bait were performed at the Neptune Islands, South Australia. The proportion of baits taken during static bait trials was not affected by the electric field. The electric field, however, increased the time it took them to consume the bait, the number of interactions per approach, and decreased the proportion of interactions within two metres of the field source. The effect of the electric field was not uniform across all sharks. In the second experiment, 189 tows using a seal decoy were conducted near Seal Island, South Africa. No breaches and only two surface interactions were observed during the tows when the electric field was activated, compared with 16 breaches and 27 surface interactions without the electric field. The present study suggests that the behavioural response of white sharks and the level of risk reduction resulting from the electric field is contextually specific, and depends on the motivational state of sharks.

SUBMITTER: Huveneers C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3642219 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Effects of an electric field on white sharks: in situ testing of an electric deterrent.

Huveneers Charlie C Rogers Paul J PJ Semmens Jayson M JM Beckmann Crystal C Kock Alison A AA Page Brad B Goldsworthy Simon D SD

PloS one 20130502 5

Elasmobranchs can detect minute electromagnetic fields, <1 nV cm(-1), using their ampullae of Lorenzini. Behavioural responses to electric fields have been investigated in various species, sometimes with the aim to develop shark deterrents to improve human safety. The present study tested the effects of the Shark Shield Freedom7™ electric deterrent on (1) the behaviour of 18 white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) near a static bait, and (2) the rates of attacks on a towed seal decoy. In the first ...[more]

PMID: 23658766

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Project description:Personal shark deterrents offer the potential of a non-lethal solution to protect individuals from negative interactions with sharks, but the claims of effectiveness of most deterrents are based on theory rather than robust testing of the devices themselves. Therefore, there is a clear need for thorough testing of commercially available shark deterrents to provide the public with information on their effectiveness. Using a modified stereo-camera system, we quantified behavioural interactions between Carcharodon carcharias (white sharks) and a baited target in the presence of a commercially available electric anklet shark deterrent, the Electronic Shark Defense System (ESDS). The stereo-camera system enabled accurate assessment of the behavioural responses of C. carcharias when approaching an ESDS. We found that the ESDS had limited meaningful effect on the behaviour of C. carcharias, with no significant reduction in the proportion of sharks interacting with the bait in the presence of the active device. At close proximity (< 15.5 cm), the active ESDS did show a significant reduction in the number of sharks biting the bait, but this was countered by an increase in other, less aggressive, interactions. The ESDS discharged at a frequency of 7.8 Hz every 5.1 s for 2.5 s, followed by an inactive interval of 2.6 s. As a result, many sharks may have encountered the device in its inactive state, resulting in a reduced behavioural response. Consequently, decreasing the inactive interval between pulses may improve the overall effectiveness of the device, but this would not improve the effective deterrent range of the device, which is primarily a factor of the voltage gradient rather than the stimulus frequency. In conclusion, given the very short effective range of the ESDS and its unreliable deterrent effect, combined with the fact that shark-bite incidents are very rare, it is unlikely that the current device would significantly reduce the risk of a negative interaction with C. carcharias.

Project description:Sharks play a vital role in the health of marine ecosystems, but the potential threat that sharks pose to humans is a reminder of our vulnerability when entering the ocean. Personal shark deterrents are being marketed as the solution to mitigate the threat that sharks pose. However, the effectiveness claims of many personal deterrents are based on our knowledge of shark sensory biology rather than robust testing of the devices themselves, as most have not been subjected to independent scientific studies. Therefore, there is a clear need for thorough testing of commercially available shark deterrents to provide the public with recommendations of their effectiveness. Using a modified stereo-camera system, we quantified behavioural interactions between white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and a baited target in the presence of a commercially available, personal electric shark deterrent (Shark Shield Freedom7™). The stereo-camera system enabled an accurate assessment of the behavioural responses of C. carcharias when encountering a non-lethal electric field many times stronger than what they would naturally experience. Upon their first observed encounter, all C. carcharias were repelled at a mean (± std. error) proximity of 131 (± 10.3) cm, which corresponded to a mean voltage gradient of 9.7 (± 0.9) V/m. With each subsequent encounter, their proximity decreased by an average of 11.6 cm, which corresponded to an increase in tolerance to the electric field by an average of 2.6 (± 0.5) V/m per encounter. Despite the increase in tolerance, sharks continued to be deterred from interacting for the duration of each trial when in the presence of an active Shark Shield™. Furthermore, the findings provide no support to the theory that electric deterrents attract sharks. The results of this study provide quantitative evidence of the effectiveness of a non-lethal electric shark deterrent, its influence on the behaviour of C. carcharias, and an accurate method for testing other shark deterrent technologies.

Project description:OBJECTIVE:Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in zona incerta (Zi) is used for symptom alleviation in essential tremor (ET). Zi is positioned along the dentato-rubro-thalamic tract (DRT). Electric field simulations with the finite element method (FEM) can be used for estimation of a volume where the stimulation affects the tissue by applying a fixed isolevel (VDBS). This work aims to develop a workflow for combined patient-specific electric field simulation and white matter tracing of the DRT, and to investigate the influence on the VDBS from different brain tissue models, lead design and stimulation modes. The novelty of this work lies in the combination of all these components. METHOD:Patients with ET were implanted in Zi (lead 3389, n?=?3, voltage mode; directional lead 6172, n?=?1, current mode). Probabilistic reconstruction from diffusion MRI (dMRI) of the DRT (n?=?8) was computed with FSL Toolbox. Brain tissue models were created for each patient (two homogenous, one heterogenous isotropic, one heterogenous anisotropic) and the respective VDBS (n?=?48) calculated from the Comsol Multiphysics FEM simulations. The DRT and VDBS were visualized with 3DSlicer and superimposed on the preoperative T2 MRI, and the common volumes calculated. Dice Coefficient (DC) and level of anisotropy were used to evaluate and compare the brain models. RESULT:Combined patient-specific tractography and electric field simulation was designed and evaluated, and all patients showed benefit from DBS. All VDBS overlapped the reconstructed DRT. Current stimulation showed prominent difference between the tissue models, where the homogenous grey matter deviated most (67 < DC < 69). Result from heterogenous isotropic and anisotropic models were similar (DC > 0.95), however the anisotropic model consistently generated larger volumes related to a greater extension of the electric field along the DBS lead. Independent of tissue model, the steering effect of the directional lead was evident and consistent. CONCLUSION:A workflow for patient-specific electric field simulations in combination with reconstruction of DRT was successfully implemented. Accurate tissue classification is essential for electric field simulations, especially when using the current control stimulation. With an accurate targeting and tractography reconstruction, directional leads have the potential to tailor the electric field into the desired region.

Dataset Information

Effects of an electric field on white sharks: in situ testing of an electric deterrent.

Publications

Effects of an electric field on white sharks: in situ testing of an electric deterrent.

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