Possible future of no more "accidental" shark fishing?

SharkDefense's Eric Stroud, a chemist from the US, has found that using magnets on hooks may keep sharks off fishermen's hooks, alleviating the problem of accidental shark fishing. Research in Australia has shown that magnets can repel 5 big species of shark, so the premise does sound promising. While Stroud's discovery may bring promise, the efficacy of magnets is dependent on the strength and size of magnets, making it an impractical application for protection of bathers from sharks at beaches. However, as a bycatch deterrent, the magnetic hook may just be the key to keeping fishermen honest about their "accidental" shark catches.

Shark repelling fish hooks

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Dean

Now swimmers and surfers can wear magnet belts and be safe from an accidental attack? Can't wait for those human trials to begin. Who's first to try it out?

Steve

Great idea!

Magnetic tape wrapped around the hook shank, also like how they are using a tuna circle pattern hook- as these stop the gut hooking of fish for safer release of sportsfishing target species like marlin, sailfish and tuna, they where developed for long-lining so the fish don't spit the hook.