Protective Oceanic Device
Encyclopedia
The Protective Oceanic Device (POD) is a portable device that emits an electromagnetic field
around a person protecting against shark
s. The POD was developed by Natal Sharks Board, and was the first successful electronic shark repellent for scuba
divers.
By producing an electromagnetic field
, the POD irritates the ampullae of Lorenzini
of a shark. The POD was the first electronic device that was proven successful in deterring sharks when tested by Ron Taylor and Valerie Taylor
in 1992. It was a personal mobile protection unit for one person and cannot replace shark net
s that are used to protect whole beaches. The original "SharkPOD" was developed and marketed by the Natal Sharks Board in South Africa
. It was tested for eight years off Dyer Island with mainly great white shark
s.
Ron and Valerie Taylor
tested the first POD on sharks in Australia and South Africa with positive results and made a documentary about it called 'Shark POD'.
The "Shark Shield" is an alternate version. Diving expert Peter Clarkson, the spokesman for Shark Shield, was killed by great white sharks off South Australia in February 2011, although it is unknown whether he was using a device at the time or not.
Electromagnetic field
An electromagnetic field is a physical field produced by moving electrically charged objects. It affects the behavior of charged objects in the vicinity of the field. The electromagnetic field extends indefinitely throughout space and describes the electromagnetic interaction...
around a person protecting against shark
Shark
Sharks are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body. The earliest known sharks date from more than 420 million years ago....
s. The POD was developed by Natal Sharks Board, and was the first successful electronic shark repellent for scuba
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
divers.
By producing an electromagnetic field
Electromagnetic field
An electromagnetic field is a physical field produced by moving electrically charged objects. It affects the behavior of charged objects in the vicinity of the field. The electromagnetic field extends indefinitely throughout space and describes the electromagnetic interaction...
, the POD irritates the ampullae of Lorenzini
Ampullae of Lorenzini
The ampullae of Lorenzini are special sensing organs called electroreceptors, forming a network of jelly-filled pores. They are mostly discussed as being found in cartilaginous fishes ; however, they are also reported to be found in Chondrostei such as Reedfish and sturgeon. Lungfish have also been...
of a shark. The POD was the first electronic device that was proven successful in deterring sharks when tested by Ron Taylor and Valerie Taylor
Ron & Valerie Taylor
Ron Taylor and Valerie Taylor are prominent Australian shark and underwater experts. Their expertise has been called upon for films such as Jaws, Orca and Sky Pirates....
in 1992. It was a personal mobile protection unit for one person and cannot replace shark net
Shark net
A shark net is a submerged net placed around beaches to reduce shark attacks on swimmers.Shark nets do not offer complete protection but work on the principle of "fewer sharks, fewer attacks". They reduce occurrence via shark mortality. Reducing the local shark populations is believed to reduce the...
s that are used to protect whole beaches. The original "SharkPOD" was developed and marketed by the Natal Sharks Board in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It was tested for eight years off Dyer Island with mainly great white shark
Great white shark
The great white shark, scientific name Carcharodon carcharias, also known as the great white, white pointer, white shark, or white death, is a large lamniform shark found in coastal surface waters in all major oceans. It is known for its size, with the largest individuals known to have approached...
s.
Ron and Valerie Taylor
Ron & Valerie Taylor
Ron Taylor and Valerie Taylor are prominent Australian shark and underwater experts. Their expertise has been called upon for films such as Jaws, Orca and Sky Pirates....
tested the first POD on sharks in Australia and South Africa with positive results and made a documentary about it called 'Shark POD'.
The "Shark Shield" is an alternate version. Diving expert Peter Clarkson, the spokesman for Shark Shield, was killed by great white sharks off South Australia in February 2011, although it is unknown whether he was using a device at the time or not.