Sharks off the coast of Western Australia are now tweeting their locations to lifeguards and swimmers. Sky News explains:
Scientists have attached transmitters to more than 320 sharks, including great whites, which monitor their movements up and down the coast.
When a tagged shark swims within about a kilometre of a beach, it triggers an alert which is picked up by computer. That computer then instantly turns the shark’s signal into a short message on Surf Life Saving Western Australia’s (SLSWA) Twitter feed.
The shark situation in WA is heavy. You can now get a tweet each time a tagged shark comes near your hood: http://t.co/daeUoQAcR0
— Andy Fallshaw (@Ando_F) December 28, 2013
Here are a few examples from the Surf Life Saving Western Australia feed.
Fisheries advise: tagged Bronze whaler shark detected at Garden Island (north end) receiver at 10:00:00 AM on 28-Dec-2013
— Surf Life Saving WA (@SLSWA) December 28, 2013
Fisheries advise: tagged Tiger shark detected at Mullaloo South receiver at 03:13:00 AM on 28-Dec-2013
— Surf Life Saving WA (@SLSWA) December 27, 2013
Fisheries advise: tagged Tiger shark detected at Ocean Reef receiver at 02:10:00 AM on 28-Dec-2013
— Surf Life Saving WA (@SLSWA) December 27, 2013
Sky News reports that Western Australia is the world’s deadliest place for shark attacks, and it’s hoped that tweeting sharks will turn that trend around.
So, the Aussies have tagged 300 sharks so they can tweet their locations. Guess you have to follow shark and hope it doesn't follow back!
— Michael Williamson (@legalchap) December 26, 2013
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