Researcher looks for new ways to repel sharks Scientist Eric
Stroud spent years as a pharmaceutical chemist. But, after an
unpleasant cruise the Bermuda, he gave that up in order to
pursue research in ways to protect humans from sharks. But his
work has also shifted to ways to protect sharks from humans. And
he's made fascinating findings. Eric Stroud stands on a pier on
the island of North Bimini in the Bahamas and looks down into
the turquoise water. “The current is ripping through here right
now,” he said. “The tide is going out. So any scent that’s put
here goes right to the outside of the channel, and that’s where
pretty much the big sharks are right now.” Stroud is setting up
an experiment. He unwraps twenty pounds of frozen sardines,
drops them into a mesh bait bag tied to the pier, and tosses the
bag into the water. He’s hoping to attract a large bull shark.
“It’s a fairly dangerous shark,” he explained. “It can be
aggressive, especially when provoked or cornered.” If a bull
shark does show up, he’ll