Craig O’Connell (1984) is a Ph.D. Candidate from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Currently, he is studying the effects of electrosensory stimuli (e.g. electropositive metals and permanent magnets) on the feeding and swimming behaviors of several elasmobranch species. With success in preliminary studies, he is now assessing the efficacy of permanent magnets to deter predatory elasmobranch species away from beach/anti-shark nets.

This research includes: (1) extensive field research with relevant sharks species, including the bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran) and the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) , (2) the development of a new barrier technology which may be used to replace the detrimental beach/anti-shark nets in South Africa, (3) video analysis techniques to permit the accurate observation of shark behaviour in reference to the barrier, (4) laboratory and field components which aim to determine what or if any biological and/or environmental stimuli impact barrier efficacy, and (5) the establishment of collaborations with the South African and Bahamian Governments, as a means to be permitted to conduct this research within their waters.