Gear News
Shark Mitigation System’s SAMS Technology Validated by Independent Testing
Shark Mitigation Systems (ASX:SM8), an ASX-listed company focussed on ethically reducing the risk of shark attacks, has announced positive results from independent scientific testing of one of its key visual pattern technologies, known as SAMS.
SAMS is a series of designs based on scientific analysis of shark’s visual systems that can be applied to a variety of applications, including neoprene wetsuits, to disrupt sharks’ ability to visually detect its prey.
As the leader in shark mitigation technology, Shark Mitigation Systems has been successfully marketing and licensing its SAMS technology for 5 years. This technology has now been further validated by scientific testing which has been conducted at Mossel Bay in South Africa in partnership with one of the world’s leading research universities, the University of Western Australia (UWA).
Mossel Bay is well-known as a site with an active population of white sharks. UWA testing compared more than 111 great white shark interactions on specialised equipment with unbaited neoprene material. Sharks took an average of 90 seconds to engage with a “control” black neoprene, while interactions between sharks and SAMS disruptive colouration design took between five to six minutes.
“We’ve known and trusted how effective our technology can be to aid in saving human lives in our oceans. And now with the completion of live scientific testing adding to the body of significant evidence demonstrating its effectiveness, the company takes a major step forward,” said Craig Anderson, Co-founder of Shark Mitigation Systems.
“Unbaited testing is the best way to replicate real-life scenarios. This testing has shown that our technology can increase the time taken before a shark encounter by up to 400% and has some obvious safety implications.”
The company continues to commercialise its SAMS technology, having already signed licencing agreements with a number of water apparel companies, including leading global swimwear brand Arena.
Professor Shaun Collin of the UWA Oceans Institute said: “We have been testing SAMS visual technology for several years now, and it is fantastic that we now have a data set of interactions with white sharks that is large enough to be statistically valid and capable of scientific analysis. The outcome is compelling and it is exciting to see results from our scientist’s new knowledge of shark visual systems making an impact on practical outcomes.”
The completion of these results is well timed for Shark Mitigation Systems as the company has attended the Global Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) Trade Show in the USA over the past week, which is a major event for the industry, attracting approximately 9,000 diving industry experts.
In addition to SAMS, Shark Mitigation Systems is also developing its Clever Buoy technology, which uses sonar equipment and specialised software attached to a surface buoy to monitor nearby shark activity. Clever Buoy has been used by the World Surf League and the company is also fielding interest from a variety of governments, private beach resorts and the commercial aquaculture industry.
For more information, visit www.sharkmitigation.com.
Gear News
May the 4th be with you!
Oyster Diving have recently been given exclusive access to offer scuba diving courses and fun dives at Mercers Lake, a beautiful lake near M25/Gatwick in the UK.
Oyster have just launched their own dive boat ‘The Blue Pear’ to explore various parts of the lake. Divers can glide around the underwater woodland, see lots of fish and decent visibility. Out of the water divers set up in the purpose built kitting up area, unwind in a warm shower, and off-gas in the café & licensed bar.
To celebrate the start of the summer season, AquaSports and Oyster Diving have teamed up to host a Star Wars-themed open day on the 4th May.
Guests will be able to enjoy discounted tasters of various watersports including Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP), Canoeing and Sailing. Oyster Diving will be joined by Apeks and possibly other dive manufacturers to display their latest products. Demo gear will be available for qualified divers and Oyster’s sales support team will be on hand for customers with any questions.
Divers wishing to get in the water will need to book in via Oyster Diving’s website where you can also choose to hire any equipment. Non-divers and well behaved dogs are very welcome!
As well as the watersports there will also be music, food and a licensed bar. The fun starts at 10am and finishes around 4.30pm.
Please come along, wear your finest Stormtrooper or Princess Leia outfit and enjoy the fun!
For more details contact: mark@oysterdiving.com
Gear News
Gear Showcase: The Nomad Ray Sidemount System from Dive Rite
Dive Rite was founded in 1984 by technical divers and cave explorers with the goal to make the very best scuba diving equipment available. Gear that can be trusted on the most extreme dives and exceed expectations in any environment: reef, wreck, cave, or quarry.
The Nomad Ray is the product of years of design, development, field testing, and feedback from some of the world’s leading sidemount divers and instructors.
The Nomad Ray is available in black, blue, OD green, pink, or red. If you happen to find yourself in a tight spot, the Ray’s abrasion-resistant “skid plate” will have your back: providing wear protection exactly where it’s needed the most. SuperFabric® is a fast drying, highly durable, and slash-resistant material. The Nomad Ray Sidemount System is ready to perform in the toughest diving environments.
The Nomad Ray can be easily adjusted to comfortably fit all body types. The independently adjustable harness design can be quickly set up for any diver. Shoulder and waist webbing can be replaced independently if damaged or trimmed too short. The Nomad Ray uses a fast, tool-free bungee length adjustment system. Simply pull to the desired length, tie a single overhand knot, and tuck the excess into the integrated sleeve. A quick-adjust belly band with a custom moulded bungee hook keeps the wing wrapped snugly around the diver’s body.
A zipper on the inside of the Nomad Ray wing allows for access to three integrated weight pockets capable of holding up to five pounds of each of hard or soft weight.
To find out more go to https://www.diverite.com/products/nomad-sidemount/nomad-ray-sidemount-system/.
Sea & Sea is the home of Dive Rite and other leading diving brands in the UK.
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