What is the name of your organization?
SharkSafe Barrier (Pty) (RF) Ltd
What is the name of your solution?
SharkSafe Barrier™
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
SharkSafe Barrier™ is the eco-friendly solution to the shark-human conflict
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
South Africa
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
ZAF
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
SharkSafe Barrier Pty addresses the global issue of human-shark conflict. Even if sharks cause just 8 human fatalities each year, the resulting trauma and fear is negatively impacting coastal tourism and local economies. The estimated loss of tourism revenue, following shark-related accidents on small islands, has been calculated to be 30 Mil USD per year. Traditional methods involve implementing shark-cull policies with the deployment of shark nets, drumlines or targeted fishing. These policies are not effective in preventing shark-human encounters, but they kill thousands of marine animals annually, including turtles, dolphins, and harmless shark species.
What is your solution?
SharkSafe Barrier Pty solves the human-shark conflict by offering an effective, sustainable, non-lethal alternative to traditional shark mitigation methods. The SharkSafe Barrier™ technology physically keeps sharks separated from beach goers using two shark repellent systems. The SharkSafe Barrier™ uses biomimicry, by replicating the visual effect of a thick kelp forest, and combines it with magnetic stimuli that repels sharks without harming marine life. This eco-friendly barrier is shark-specific and protects beachgoers and marine ecosystems alike. Tested successfully with white sharks and bull sharks, SharkSafe Barrier provides an innovative solution that ensures public safety while preserving biodiversity and supporting ocean conservation. Our Company also earned international interest and media coverage, bolstering its reputation as a leader in eco-friendly shark mitigation.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our solution provides peace of mind to beach-goers and tourism operators, by significantly reducing the chance of shark encounters. Shark-accidents are a traumatic event that directly impacts the victims, but also has a ripple effect on the local community, coastal tourism and shark conservation. Our solution will positively impact the livelihoods of the coastal communities that currently don’t have access to beaches, due to the presence of sharks, the tourism sectors, and it will provide job creation for the South African manufacturers and the local installation and maintenance team.
