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About Shark Camo
 Sharkcamo has been used by thousands of surfers worldwide for the past 7 years with impeccable results. Our graphic imitates the pattern Mother Nature has decorated certain fish with that are seen side by side with sharks in all water conditions and times of the day.
Sharkcamo is a low tech approach to preventing shark attacks on surfers. Taken from the principles of Mother Nature, Sharkcamo is a patented copyrighted graphic that applies to the bottom of your surf board and helps neutralise the prey reflex found in sharks that cause them to attack.
Shark Anatomy
In many ways, shark eyes are very similar to human eyes. We both have a cornea, an iris, a pupil, a lens and a retina. However, sharks' vision is slightly better (7x better) than human vision, allowing them to see as far as 50-60 feet underwater in good conditions. In addition, sharks have a structure in their eyes called the tapetum lucidum that increases the sensitivity of the sharks' eyes to light.
See below for a selection of non-prey fish that share the distinct striped pattern.
   
Testing
 Shark Camo has recently completed testing at Seal Island, South Africa.
Ralph Collier of the Shark Research Committee, included some of the top experts on white shark behavior to assist on the project. The team included Collier, Aidan Martin of Reef Quest, Chris and Monique Fallows of Apex Shark Adventures, and Mike Travers of Murdoch University in Perth. The protocol was designed to determine kill zones around Seal Island each day. Once the area was established, a series of static and dynamic tests were conducted.
After six days of testing there were 31 approaches on targets. Sharkcamo boards were only involved in two interactions, both times the white sharks seemed to abort their approach when definite visual contact was made. Water visibility was measured at 1.2 meters.
Cash McConnell, inventor of Sharkcamo, came up with the idea seven years ago after viewing a documentary. The striped decal is based on the principals of Mother Nature. It mimics several species of fish in the ocean that adorn a conspicuous striped pattern, and are either poisonous or beneficial to the shark. In the film, the shark scientist involved proved the theory worked, but had no practical application. Being a surfer McConnell thought he could apply the technology to the bottom of surfboards and take the chance of being harassed by a shark out of the surfing experience.
Video from the expedition in South Africa can be seen here. Another series of tests will be conducted in the very near future at Guadalupe Island, Mexico, including that of a lycra suit based on the theory.
Key Benefits
- Easy to apply
- Super durable vinyl
- Low tech and affordable
- Works in all water conditions
- Decals for your existing board
- Rice Paper for custom boards
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