According to Lawless, synthetic cuttlefish ink compounds could be made and distributed in water to keep sharks away from hazardous places. These include areas with heavy fishing activity or polluted waters, which could help protect shark species that are threatened or endangered by keeping them out of harm’s way.

The ink of the cuttlefish could transform how sharks are deterred from hunting near swimmers, according to new research.

Half of the unprovoked shark attacks in the U.S. last year took place along the Florida coastline, new data shows.