Our design in made of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), which is a biodegradable material. Biodegradation is the process of microorganisms breaking down matter. Biodegradeable materials are more sustainable when compared to other materials because when it breaks down, it doesn't leave waste behind. The process of biodegradation is a chemical change. A chemical change is a transformation that results in the formation of one or more new substances. When PHA undergoes biodegradation, it breaks down into carbon dioxide (CO₂), water (H₂O), and possibly methane (CH₄) if it's in anaerobic conditions (environments with lacking oxygen). This process ensures that the material doesn't become waste and contributes to the sustainability of our design.

As seen in the food web, sharks are one of the top predators in marine ecosystems. If shark populations were to go down, or if sharks were to become extinct, there would be major shift in the food web because predators are important to regulate the populations of other species. When an apex predator goes extinct, the population of other predators would increase which could lead to overpopulation of certain species, then leading to competition for resources. This would then lead to a decline in the number of herbivores. A substantial change in an ecosystem's food web, such as removing an important predator, would create an imbalance within the food web, and would have catastrophic effects on the ecosystem. This is why it is vital that something is done to prevent the extinction of sharks.

One of the key features of our design is its magnets. The magnets create a minuscule electrical field, which is the able to be sensed by the sharks. This electrical field is able to be formed because of the conductivity of salt water. Salt water contains positive sodium ions (Na+) and negative chlorine ions (Cl-). This makes salt water highly conductive because these ions are able to conduct electricity. So, when a magnet is introduced, current is able to flow through the ions and create a magnetic field, then resulting in the creation of an electrical field.

Earth's magnetic field plays a huge role in our design because it relies heavily on sharks' abilities to sense electromagnetic fields. Earth's magnetic field is a magnetic field which extends from the earth's outer core into outer space, and protects the earth from the charged particles that the sun is constantly spewing towards it. Sharks use earth's magnetic field as an aid to help them navigate marine ecosystems. Because of this, our design for the bycatch-reducing net is able to function effectively. The sharks are able to detect the stronger magnetic field, and are deterred from going within proximity of it. By mimicking earth's natural magnetic field, and creating a stronger field to repel sharks, we are helping reduce shark bycatch.