Wired Australian sharks using Twitter to warn swimmers

Washington: Sharks in Western Australia have been reportedly fitted with transmitters that alert surfers and swimmers close to popular beaches via Twitter so as to curb any attacks.

Scientists have fitted transmitters to more than 320 sharks, including great whites, and when a tagged shark swims about a half mile of a beach, it sends an alert which is picked by computer and relayed on Surf Life Saving Western Australia`s (SLSWA) Twitter feed. According to Fox News, the tweet gives the size and breed of the shark and its approximate location. SLSWA`s Chris Peck said that the unique system is far quicker than traditional warnings on local radio and in newspapers. He said that with the instant information people don`t have an excuse to say they`re not getting the information and it`s about whether you are searching for it and finding it.