News05-08-09ANHU director Richard Fitzpatrick presented his shark claw to the world tonight. A well as the role of underwater cameraman, Richard is also a marine biologist, with a passion for sharks. His main field of interest is the long term tracking of sharks to study their movement patterns. The Shark Claw is a safer and kinder way to immobilise a shark and bring it in line with your boat. The stainless steel claw device is like a handcuff that goes around the shark’s tail. The Shark Claw is manipulated with a long pole so you can maintain a safe distance from the shark until it is secured. ??Once the spring loaded claw snaps shut around the tail, the shark tries to swim away, pulling the claw free of the pole. You still have control of the shark with a rope that is shackled to the Shark Claw. A large buoy is also attached to the rope and this causes drag on the shark’s tail, so that within a very short time – around a minute – the shark realises it can no longer control its tail properly and stops trying to swim away. Watch the program with Richard at http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s2644683.htm |
