51�Թ�

But for decades, the data on all such shark repellents have been “ambiguous,” said Chris Lowe, a marine biologist and director of the Shark Lab at Cal State Long Beach, who had not read the new Australian study.

Officials have worked to invest in better training and equipment for lifeguards and first responders, surfers have armed themselves with shark repellents and other groups have pushed for additional safety measures including land-based warning systems and drone surveillance.

Local surfers, meanwhile, have taken to arming themselves with shark repellents, including personal devices that emit electrical fields that supposedly deter but don’t harm sharks.

Scientists have been experimenting with magnets as shark repellents for several years.

Ms Hood said the Shark Trust welcomed all progress with regards to the development of non-fatal shark repellents or exclusion devices.