They have come up with a battery operated device, which causes sharks to convulse and swim away from their prey.

BBC's Alison Rourke: Fear of the deep could soon disappear

Shark Safe can be installed in just about any type of watercraft. It sends out an electrical pulse, which causes an approaching shark to swim off in the opposite direction.

Shark Safe's inventor Leon Milford says: "It has a sort of cramping effect on their nervous systems. If you can imagine a cramp in your leg - it has that sort of effect on the shark."

Production of Shark Safe will begin next year

The inventor's have tried it out on the most feared of predators, the Great White shark and to good effect - a few sharp pulses sends the aggressors scuttling away.

Surfers, like Andy Inkster, who are the most common victims of attacks are optimistic it will be a success.

"It could have a lot of applications, not only surf boards but maybe bodyboards, kayaks and sailing boats," he says.