Controversy
During July 2008, the MythBusters aired a segment on Discovery Channel Shark Week showing the repulsive effects of C8 ferrite magnets on captive juvenile sharks. A subsequent test at Tiger Beach, Nassau used competitively-feeding adult sharks, and the repulsive effects were not observed. However, it was noted that different magnets were used at Tiger Beach than in the initial tests. Additionally, sharks are inclined to use vision over their electrical sense when water visibility is high and there is an abundance of feeding stimulus. In this scenario, magnets would not be effective, which is not controlled for in the test of the "myth".
During July 2007, Les Stroud aired a segment on Discovery Channel Sharkweek which concluded that a great hammerhead was not repelled by a rare earth magnet. It was noted that the magnet was placed quite far away from the shark, neglecting that the range of the ampullary organ is less than 60 cm. This test also contradicts the positive findings (2008) by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and James Cook University, Australia, with hammerheads.
Read more about this topic: Magnetic Shark Repellent
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