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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Sol Lucas, Emeritus Professor Per Berggren
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2025 The AuthorsBlue sharks (Prionace glauca) are the most-commonly caught species of shark globally with evidence of decreasing populations. Sensory deterrents, inducing weak electromagnetic fields, have been used to deter sharks from fishing gear, while maintaining target catch quality and quantity. Here, we conducted trials on the efficacy of ferrite magnets as a deterrent on blue sharks off the southwest coast of the UK. We tested behavioural responses of blue sharks to ferrite magnets in a field experiment comparing simulated fishing lines (hooks removed) with and without magnets. There was no statistically significant difference in bait choices between the control (n = 14) and magnet (n = 12) lines. Time to strike, number of prior interactions, number of sharks present or number of people in the water did not influence bait choice in the trials. Our study adds to conflicting findings on electrosensory deterrents' effectiveness on shark species. Ferrite magnets, with fixed magnetic fields, are currently not suitable for widespread implementation in fisheries and alternative strategies should be explored to reduce shark mortality.
Author(s): Lucas S, Araujo G, Bown RMK, Johns M, Matthews S, Nicol E, Parton KJ, Rees R, Scotts G, Walker V, Williams E, Berggren P
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Fisheries Research
Year: 2025
Volume: 291
Online publication date: 22/10/2025
Acceptance date: 12/10/2025
Date deposited: 03/11/2025
ISSN (print): 0165-7836
ISSN (electronic): 1872-6763
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2025.107561
DOI: 10.1016/j.fishres.2025.107561
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