Effects of auditory and visual stimuli on shark feeding behaviour: the disco effect
Posted by Esther Jacobs on November 13, 2017
Read our our recent publication following a study on the the influence of light and sound on shark behaviour.
Sensory systems play a central role in guiding animal behaviour. They can be manipulated to alter behavioural outcomes to limit negative interactions between humans and animals. Sharks are often seen as a threat to humans and there has been increasing interest in developing shark mitigation devices. Previous research has concentrated on stimulating the electrosensory and olfactory systems of sharks, whereas the influence of light and sound on their behaviour has received little attention. In this study, the effects of an intense strobe light and a loud, artificial sound composed of mixed frequencies and intensities on shark behaviour were assessed.