Organisers of the Australian Pacific Coast Spearfishing Championships have enlisted Shark Shield to protect competitors from unwanted encounters throughout the competition.

Event organiser and president of the Newcastle Neptunes Underwater Club, Steve Elias, said that Shark Shield was the world's only independently tested and proven electric personal shark deterrent system.

"Due to the increase in shark sighting and the recent passing of Jay Muscat late last year while spearfishing, we felt it was crucial to ensure our competitors had the opportunity to be protected while taking part in our annual championships," Elias said.

"The technology behind the range of products is the result of over 20 years of scientific research by some of the world's leading shark experts."

Director Lindsay Lyon said an education tent for competitors and the local community to learn more about how to protect themselves in the water would be set up during the two-day tournament.

"The unit, which is attached to the user's ankle, works by sending pulses from the electrodes that interfere with the shark's electroreceptor system, located in the shark's snout," Lyon said.

"This results in muscular spasms and levels of discomfort to the shark, but does not harm it."

A free junior training and safety session prior to the competition will be held on Good Friday, from 10-11am at the control centre, Victoria Parade, Nelson Bay.

The competition will take place on Easter Saturday and Sunday.