A new study reports that SharkGuard, a shark deterrent device, significantly reduces the number of blue sharks and pelagic stingrays caught in tuna fisheries. The technology emits a localized electric field around a baited hook, discouraging sharks from biting without getting hooked on other fish.
Early members of the bony fish group had advanced electroreception systems, suggesting a key role in niche specialization. The study uses CT scans to analyze fossils and provides new insights into the evolution of this unique sensory system.
Researchers found a remarkable proton-conducting material in the jelly of sharks' unique electrosensory organs, with conductivity only 40 times lower than Nafion. The discovery may contribute to future studies on shark sensing and unconventional sensor technology.
Researchers at UF identified neural crest cells as the source of sharks' electrical ESP, a previously unknown function. This discovery fortifies the idea that early ancestors may have had the ability to detect electric fields.