Aussie shark deterrent technology company to go public
An Australian company that makes shark repellent technology hopes to take our fear of the toothy creatures all the way to the bank.
Shark Mitigation Systems announced its intention to list on the Australian Securities Exchange in an emailed statement Tuesday.
Incorporated in 2011, Shark Mitigation Systems executive director Craig Anderson said in a letter to shareholders the company hopes to become "a global player" in the world of shark and marine technologies.
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Based in Perth, Australia, the comapny sells technology such as the "Clever Buoy," which uses sonar to detect sharks and warn beachgoers about their proximity. The system is being trialled at Sydney's Bondi Beach.
"This innovative technology is a practical solution that is non-invasive, causes no harm to sharks and is well suited for urban centres with heavily populated beaches," Anderson said in the statement. "Visiting the beach is a national pastime in Australia, with millions of people enjoying the sun and surf every year. We are very proud to be offering solutions that assist in keeping these people safe."
The company in partnership with the University of Western Australia has also created Shark Attack Mitigation Systems pattern technology in the form of apparel. The apparel, designed to interact with the vision system of sharks, can be printed on items such as wetsuits, underwater cables or surfboards to either hide the user or present them as an unpalatable food choice.
Founded by Hamish Jolly and Craig Anderson, Shark Mitigation Systems is going public just as state governments and life saving agencies around Australia are ramping up their response to the risk of shark attacks.
In February, the bank Westpac, which sponsors the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Services, celebrated the launch of a new drone named the Little Ripper. The drone's visual capabilities will be used for shark detection, among other services.
In 2015, the NSW government also announced a A$16 million (US$11.4 million) shark strategy that included new technologies such as shark tagging and 4G listening stations.
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Ariel Bogle was an associate editor with Mashable in Australia covering technology. Previously, Ariel was associate editor at Future Tense in Washington DC, an editorial initiative between Slate and New America.
