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.
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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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