Shark barrier

#This application claims priority from South African provisional patent application numbers 2016/02093, 2016/02094, 2016/02095, 2016/02096 and 2016/02097, which are incorporated by reference herein.

#This invention relates to a barrier for preventing sharks from accessing designated areas.

#Sharks play a vital role in managing healthy ecosystems. The majority of shark species prey on fish and smaller aquatic life such as molluscs and clams. Bigger species of sharks, however, generally feed on larger animals such as sea lions, seals and bigger fish.

#In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a three-dimensional view of one embodiment of a shark barrier;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view along a length of a buoyant member forming part of a shark barrier;

#In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 the shark barrier (1) includes five generally parallel adjacent linear rows (3, 5, 7, 8, 10) of spaced apart anchors (9) interconnected by separate flexible connecting elements, in this embodiment connection cables (11). Each flexible connection cable is secured at one end to a securing formation (13) located at an operatively upper portion of an anchor and at its opposite end to a securing formation (13) of an adjacent anchor. A plurality of spaced apart buoyant resiliently flexible elongate members (15) are secured at one end along a length of each connection cable and extend generally upwardly from the connection cable. The buoyant members (15) are spaced apart by means of tubular members, acting as spacers (17) fitted over the connection cables (11) and in between adjacent buoyant members.

#The adjacent linear rows (3, 5, 7, 8, 10) are anchored into the sea floor (19) to be off-set relative to each other to form a staggered arrangement. This arrangement creates the impression of a kelp forest when viewed under the water, which is known to be deterrent for many shark species. The adjacent rows may be interconnected by means of additional connection cables (21) secured to an anchor of a first row and to corresponding anchors of adjacent rows.

#In this embodiment, the shark barrier includes four buoyant members (15) between each pair of anchors (9) to form a separate, removable section of the shark barrier. It is, however, appreciated that any number of buoyant members may be secured between any two given anchors. The buoyant members are kept in place and spaced apart by means of the horizontally positioned spacers (17) fitted over the operatively horizontal connection cable. Each buoyant member comprises a flexible spine, in this embodiment a cable (25), which extends through a series of operatively vertically arranged tubular members (27). The tubular members are secured in position on the spine cable (25) by end caps (29) fitted over either end of each tubular member (27). Each buoyant member also includes a spacer to retain the tubular members a predetermined distance apart on the flexible spine. As shown in FIG. 2, the spacer may be a rubber sleeve (44).