NOTE: Controversy over the effectiveness of magnets on sharks see wiki.

A company over the weekend introduced its new shark bite repellent anklet at the Boards and Waves Expo in Cocoa Beach.

The anklet, made by Repel Sharks, LLC, is made of a series of magnets and attractive beads that fits like a piece of jewelry, but repels sharks.

“The magnets interfere with the shark’s sensory abilities,” said Bob Millings of Repel Sharks. “The shark’s electrosense, located in its nose, detects the electrical currents produced by the magnetic fields, creating a repellent response.”

The anklet was designed for situations when low visibility and high surf combine, an environment in which sharks have a tendency to bite.

In many shark attacks, particularly on the East Coast of the U.S., the shark will take what scientists call an “investigatory bite.”

In field tests, the magnetic anklet caused curious sharks to turn away quickly after coming into contact with the electromagnetic field radiating from the anklet.

New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County is considered the shark bite capital of the world.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story

www.repelsharks.com

story via clickorlando.com

Former NSSA National Champion, the 2008 ASP World Junior runner-up, 2009 WQS ranked # 14, and Rip Curl team rider, Bethany Hamilton, will have a theatrical film released tentatively late 2010 based on her inspirational and courageous story.

See post on film set

It’s been over six years since Bethany lost her arm in a shark attack that changed her life forever. Since then, Bethany has inspired millions of people around the world, as she has not only continued her dream of becoming a world-class professional surfer, but she has overcome all obstacles to become one of the most well-rounded female surfers in the world. From towing into 20-foot Jaws waves to proving a consummate competition threat in any conditions, Bethany’s unfathomable journey has led to the production of SOUL SURFER, a theatrical film based on Bethany’s life.

With a star-studded cast including Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Anna Sophia Robb and Carrie Underwood, amongst others, filming has just completed in Hawaii and is a production of SONY/AFFIRM FILMS.

“This is a new step in my life to have a movie made about my family!  Being a part of the production was really fun and interesting. Alana Blanchard and I did some stunt surfing for our characters, which was really fun,” Bethany recently stated. “I’m so glad to have Rip Curl apart of the movie and keeping the movie core! They have been apart of my life since I was ten years old so its a huge blessing to keep it real.”

While Bethany won’t be doing any acting (Anna Sophia Robb to play Bethany and Lorraine Nicholson to play Alana Blanchard), both her and Alana will be taking on “stunt duties” by surfing for their characters. Quite simply, only Bethany Hamilton and Alana Blanchard are at the performance level to represent themselves.

Rip Curl is both honored and excited to partner with Bethany, who has been a Rip Curl surfer for 10 years, on the making of this amazing production, but also to support her as she strives for 2011 ASP Women’s World Tour qualification.

For more information on SOUL SURFER, please visit www.soulsurferthemovie.com or www.bethanyhamilton.com

For additional media inquiries, please contact Rip Curl marketing coordinator Chelsea Johns: cjohns@ripcurl.com

story via ripcurl

A group of fishermen were delighted when they caught a shark in the warm waters off Australia’s east coast.

So imagine their surprise when there was a bigger tug and they realised their catch was being swallowed by an even bigger fish.

This giant, weighing one and a quarter tonnes and measuring 20ft long, was caught off the north coast of New South Wales and is thought to be at least 40 years old.

Vic Hislop, who runs a shark museum in Queensland, was so excited by news of the catch that he bought the shark, which died as it was hauled to shore.

‘It’s a magnificent specimen, that’s for sure,’ said Mr Hislop. ‘I’m planning to freeze it and then put it on display at the shark museum.’

Some species of hammerheads are on the global endangered list but they are not renowned for attacking humans, unlike the man-eating great white shark.

What might be a warning for swimmers to exercise caution about where they chose to swim is Mr Hislop’s comment to Brisbane’s Courier Mail that ‘while this one is huge, it’s not the biggest one I’ve seen’.

Sharks are known to feed at dawn and dusk, so people are advised to avoid the ocean at those times to further reduce their small chance of a shark attack.

Hammerheads, which are found in warm waters around the world, get their name from the shape of their heads, which are flattened and extend sideways.

This is thought to help them move in close to their prey and to find food on the sea bed.

While they are not notorious for killing humans, the International Shark Attack file lists them as seventh among sharks that pose a danger to people, the most dangerous being the great white.

In recent years there have been 33 reported hammerhead attacks on humans, but none have been fatal.

story via dailymail