AN ULVERSTON based company is working to reduce shark attacks in Australia.

Tritech have been involved in a sonar project that aims to detect the presence of sharks in infested waters.

The 'Clever Buoy' is currently being trialled on Australia's famous Bondi Beach.

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"There's a lot of shark deaths globally," Tritech marketing manager Suzanne Steele said. "So they've been trying to find technology for years, that would help assist a rescue."

The sonar technology detects the unique movements of sharks, alerting their presence to lifeguards and allowing them raise the alarm.

Tritech's Ulverston team have been working on the hardware for the technology, while those based in Aberdeen have been involved with the software development.

Tritech have been working alongside Clever Buoy and Shark Mitigation Systems in order to develop the technology.

Jacqui McCloy, the finance director for the Ulverston branch, has said that the technology being used has scope to be utilised in many different areas.

"It's an unusual application of things we have been doing for other markets, particularly in renewables," she said.

She went on to say that Clever Buoy had been 'very successful in trials' and could be of use anywhere where there are leisure activities, not just Australia.

According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) 2015 worldwide summary, a total of 98 unprovoked shark bites occurred worldwide in 2015.

Whereas cameras are often used at the moment to detect sharks, this technology is not always effective.

It seems that the Clever Buoy technology could not only protect humans, but Shark Trust’s Conservation Officer, John Richardson, believes that it could also help sharks.

"Clever-Buoy technology could provide another tool in a growing suite of non-lethal shark deterrents, improving our ability to co-exist with sharks, and continue surfing and swimming while mitigating against a tragic human-shark encounter," he said. "If the Clever-Buoy technology proves effective, along with other monitoring programmes, it could be viewed as a genuine alternative to traditional shark netting and drum-lines which have a significant impact on all marine life."