Shark repellant success

Press, 22 October 1986, Page 27

Shark repellant success

NZPA-AFP Tokyo Japanese researchers have succeeded in chemically synthesising a prototype shark repellent. The researchers, led by Mr Kazuo Tachibana, of Suntory, Ltd, Japan’s top whisky distiller, said they extracted a shark-repell-ing substance from the secretion of a sole, traced its chemical structure, then chemically synthesised it. He said his group first noticed that sole in southern waters secreted a mucous liquid when threatened by sharks. Chemical analysis proved the liquid contained a kind of watersoluble peptide called pardaxin p and non-water-soluble pavoninin, a steroid glycoside. The researchers then succeeded in extracting these substances from the secretion, Mr Tachibana said. When the team put a water solution containing highly concentrated pardaxin p into the mouth of a white-tip reef shark, the shark beat a hasty retreat, he said. Tests in the United States using pavoninin against a lemon shark also proved effective, he said.