About the Project

The Neuroecology Group at The University of Western Australia boasts a team of world-class shark researchers, committed to finding non-lethal solutions to keep people safe from shark bites, while enjoying their time at the beach. Our research reveals there are a variety of methods that could be used to deter or repel sharks based on the presentation of sensory stimuli that is able to positively change the behaviour of sharks and significantly reduce the likelihood of a negative encounter.

By improving our understanding about how sharks perceive and process their sensory environment or react to cues such as light, sound, electric fields and odours, we can develop non-lethal strategies for both personal- and beach-based deterrents, and allow humans to coexist safely with these important animals that play a vital role in the marine environment.

The Aim of the Project

The goal of this campaign is to support the UWA Neuroecology Group to investigate novel methods of shark mitigation using robust scientific enquiry that can ultimately be used for the testing of existing deterrent devices and the development of new ones. The proposed research is timely and is focussed on protecting both humans and sharks.

Our research team is focused on using their knowledge of the sensory drivers of shark behaviour to translate this information into shark mitigation strategies and public education. Unfortunately, there are very few shark deterrent technologies available to the public, and most have not been subjected to robust scientific testing. In fact, most deterrents on the market simply refer to broad literature on the sensory biology of sharks as the basis of their effectiveness. However, neurobiological science suggests that there are a variety of methods that can be used to deter sharks based on manipulation of their sensory behaviours. Some of these have already been trialled for use with bony fishes with some success, and include bright flashing lights, loud underwater sounds and curtains of bubbles.

We aim to test and develop novel sensory deterrents that are capable of deterring sharks and maximise shark bite mitigation potential under real-world scenarios. We aim to independently test shark deterrents that are currently available on the market to provide evidence of their effectiveness so that the public can make an informed and confident decision when selecting the most appropriate device for their aquatic activity. It is also hoped that where improvements can be made to existing devices, we will work with the relevant companies to improve the technology.

Our Commitment



We are committed to finding non-lethal strategies to ensure humans can coexist safely with sharks, but we need your help.

To achieve this, we plan to:

Assess the sensory thresholds (vision, hearing, olfaction, gustation and electroreception) of a range of shark species to determine likely deterrent stimuli

Test and develop promising novel deterrent solutions

Test the effectiveness of a range of commercially available shark deterrents to provide recommendations on their effectiveness

Develop bycatch reduction solutions that deter sharks from fishing hooks and nets to improve the efficiency of commercial fishing operations.

Lead Researchers

Prof. Shaun P. Collin

Shaun is a Winthrop Professor within the School of Animal Biology and Director of the UWA Oceans Institute. A former WA Premier’s Research Fellow, Shaun is a world leader in how animals perceive and process their sensory world under different environment conditions. He uses innovative techniques to understand the evolution and mechanisms of neural processing for a range of senses.

Dr. Ryan M. Kempster

Ryan is a shark biologist and founder of the conservation group Support Our Sharks. Ryan began his research with an M.Sc. in Marine Biology at Bangor University (U.K.) and later moved to Australia to complete a Ph.D. at the University of Western Australia. Ryan’s research focuses on the sensory biology of sharks with the ultimate goal of refining and improving shark deterrent devices to protect ocean users and reduce shark bycatch in commercial fisheries.

Ms. Caroline Kerr

Caroline trained as a veterinary nurse in the UK before obtaining her Science degree at Dundee University. She moved to Australia to pursue her passion for Marine Science. Her research interests and expertise are focussed on the sensory systems of fish and sharks. She specialises in marine animal behaviour and husbandry, with a keen interest in marine conservation.





How your Donation is used

$10 can provide enough bait for one remote camera deployment to test a deterrent in the field.

$25 can provide an SD card for recording video footage of shark behaviours during deterrent testing.

$50 can help to buy and replace rope used to deploy remote monitoring equipment in the field.

$100 can provide an essential hard drive for storing video footage during deterrent testing in the field.

$500 can support the purchase of an existing commercial shark deterrent device to conduct independent testing of their effectiveness.

$1000 can pay for a boat for one day to conduct 16 remote camera deployments to test a range of deterrents in the field.

$5000 can help to buy and update essential remote monitoring equipment (inc. cameras and software) to help our scientists analyse and study shark behaviour in response to different deterrent devices.

$10000 can help to pay for a one week-long research trip to test shark deterrents off the coast of Western Australia.

Further Research



Recently released deterrent results:

Previous research trip:

Relevant research publications from the Neuroecology Group:

Hart NS and Collin SP (2015) Shark senses and shark repellents. Integrative Zoology 10: 38-64.

Collin SP and Hart NS (2015) Vision and photoentrainment in fishes: the effects of natural and anthropogenic perturbation. Integrative Zoology 10(1): 15–28.

Ryan L, Meeuwig J, Hemmi J, Collin SP and Hart NS (2015) It is not just size that matters: shark cruising speeds are species-specific. Marine Biology 162(6): 1307-1318

Egeberg C, Kempster RM, Theiss S, Hart NS and Collin SP (2014) The distribution and abundance of electrosensory pores in two benthic sharks: a comparison of the wobbegong shark, Orectolobus maculatus, and the angel shark, Squatina australis. Marine and Freshwater Research 65(11): 1003–1008.

Kempster, RM, Hart, NS and Collin, SP (2013) Survival of the stillest: predator avoidance in shark embryos. PLoS ONE 8(1): e52551.

Kempster, RM, Garza, E, Egeberg, CA, Hart, NS, O’Shea, O, Collin, SP (2013) Sexual dimorphism of the electrosensory system: a quantitative analysis of nerve axons in the dorsal anterior lateral line nerve of the fantail stingray (Taeniura lymma). Brain Behavior and Evolution 81(4): 226-235.

Newman, A, Marshall, NJ and Collin, SP (2013) Visual-eyes: A quantitative analysis of the photoreceptor layer in deep-sea sharks. Brain Behavior and Evolution 82: 237-249.

Kempster, RM, Egeberg, CA, Hart, NS and Collin SP (2015) Electrosensory-driven feeding behaviours of the Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni) and western shovelnose ray (Aptychotrema vincentiana). Marine and Freshwater Research.

Yopak, KE, Lisney, TJ and Collin, SP (2014) Not all sharks are “swimming noses”: Variation in olfactory bulb size in cartilaginous fishes. Brain Structure and Function 220(2): 1127-1143.