The Western Australian Government funded $1.9 million worth of research into personal deterrents like shark shields and visual deterrents as well as large scale deterrents like barriers and detection technology, through science research grants.
Laboratory and field trials on existing electrical shark deterrents and potential novel shark deterrents such as loud underwater sounds, bright flashing lights and bubbles were tested in the laboratory and in the ocean in Western Australia and South Africa on a wide range of shark species, including white sharks.
The research found that the Shark Shield FREEDOM 7TM had a significant effect in deterring a range of shark species, including tiger and white sharks. It is currently considered to be the most effective personal shark deterrent device available.
A summary of research findings were released in June 2015, and in 2016 the University of Western Australian published its report on the Shark Shield FREEDOM 7TM.
The Western Australian Government is now offering a Shark Deterrent Rebate of $200 to 1,000 Western Australian residents that purchase an approved personal shark deterrent device.