Every day, Cole Taschman heads out to Bathtub Beach in Stuart, Florida. The quiet reef on the Atlantic Coast got its name from the “bathtub effect” which breaks up waves, creates a shallow pool at low tide and reduces erosion. For Cole and the Taschman family, who consider the beach their backyard, it is known for something else.

A study suggests that wrapping a surfboard in very bright lights — like aquatic Christmas trees — could make the surfer less interesting to great white sharks.

Reports of shark attacks on surfers appear in the media quite regularly. Researchers have decided to tackle the issue. Scientists from Macquarie University in New South Wales have developed a simple but effective way to deter predators.

New LED camouflage can deter shark attacks, scientists say - Sharks less likely to interact as LED lights get brighter

Seal-shaped boards decked with bright horizontal lights were less likely to be attacked by great white sharks, researchers found.

Reports of shark attacks on surfers appear in the media quite regularly. Researchers have decided to address the issue. Scientists from Macquarie University in New South Wales have developed a simple but effective way to deter these predators.