Testing shark deterrent devices can be very difficult because:
- shark attacks are rare occurrences. The circumstances can be unclear and the complex variables cannot be controlled
- each testing approach would need to be individually designed for the many technologies that are being developed to reduce shark attack risk (some of which are personal such as a shark suit, and some of which aim to deter sharks from an area)
- testing needs to reference a broader understanding of shark behaviour and populations and human-shark interactions, for which research data are incomplete.
More information on shark deterrent measures can be found in the chapter 6 of the Shark mitigation and deterrent measures report.