In episode 12 of the Ocean Impact Podcast ‘Pitchfest 2020 Series’ Nick Chiarelli speaks with Dr Sara Andreotti, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at SharkSafe Barrier. SharkSafe Barrier, a Pitchfest 2020 Finalist, has a mission to provide the tools for an environmentally friendly coexistence between sharks and humans. SharkSafe Barrier provides a novel and sustainable solution to shark and human protection through a patented technology that incorporates a magnetic field with a kelp-forest mimicking structure, where sharks are deterred without affecting other marine life. Sara has been involved in marine biology since the age of sixteen, when she started working as a volunteer at the Natural Marine Reserve of Miramare in Trieste, Italy. In 2008 she completed a Masters of Science in marine biology at the University of Trieste, and in 2009 she began working in South Africa to create a database of great white sharks based on photos of their dorsal fins. The project evolved to include genetic data, for a PhD at Stellenbosch University, and after six years of field work, Sara had managed to catalogue 426 white sharks from 5000 photos and collected more than 300 genetic samples. She was awarded a PhD for this research in March 2015. SharkSafe Barrier is scientifically proven to deter both Bull Sharks and Great White Sharks, requires minimal maintenance, and in addition, the infrastructure over time becomes an artificial reef protecting marine life and enhancing biomass. In 2020 SharkSafe Barrier was one of a number of innovations featured in a proposal to the Queensland Government as cost effective and non-lethal alternatives to the very outdated shark nets used at popular Queensland beaches. NSW and Western Australia being the other Australian states that are still using lethal shark nets. Shark nets are indiscriminate killers of a variety of marine life including turtles, dolphins, whales and sharks and the idea that they keep humans safe from negative shark interactions is not supported by credible science. For more information on SharkSafe Barrier visit: https://www.sharksafesolution.com/ To follow SharkSafe Barrier on LinkedIn visit: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharksafe-barriers-rf-/ This episode is the last in our 12-part Pitchfest 2020 ‘Meet the Finalists’ Series. We will return with brand new episodes of The Ocean Impact Podcast shortly.