Shark nets are used to prevent the entrance of sharks to areas where bathers frequent.  These nets usually contain mesh holes 50 cm wide which are small enough to entangle the larger sharks, while allowing smaller fish to pass through.  The only problem with this development is that not only are shark populations being decimated, but batoids and a variety of marine mammals are being killed within these nets (Dudley & Cliff, 1992).

In response to this problem, our experiment will focus on deterring lemon sharks (N. brevirostris), and a tiger shark (G. cuvier) from a 3-dimensional net-like apparatus that contains magnets.  We will also study repellency on Southern Stingrays (D. americana) and Nurse Sharks (G. cirratum) using a 2-dimensional magnetic perimeter.

Bony fish (teleosts), along with marine mammals do not contain these electroreceptors, thus, the use of permanent magnets is a selective repellent technology.