AC in The Times - on seal-scaring technology

Following our comments to The Ferret on the granting of a licence to use new seal-scaring technology on Scottish salmon farms, The Times ran a similar story, featuring our own objections to the decision. To read on The Times website, click here. Or read copy below:

Animal rights campaigners raise alarm at ‘seal scarers’

Matilda Davies

The Scottish government environment agency has issued a licence for new seal scaring technology to be trialled in salmon farms that animal welfare campaigners claim could disturb whales and dolphins.

The Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology (Tast) aims to deter seals rom salmon farms using sound. Its impact on cetaceans including whales, dolphins and porpoises is being assessed.

GenusWave, which manufactures Tast, says it is “the only acoustic deterrent proven to be both effective and harmless”.

Animal rights campaigners are not convinced. Freddy Bowen-Bate, of the charity Animal Concern, said: “This new seal-scaring technology is being trialled at known risk to cetacean welfare, when there are already proven non-harmful methods that exist such as well-spaced double-skinned anti-predator nets that have been successfully used in British Columbia and Shetland for many years. This is testing on animals by any other name and the licence should never have been given.”

Last month concerns were raised about the effect of noise pollution on cetaceans after 54 pilot whales died on the Isle of Lewis. Angus Brendan MacNeil, the local independent MP, questioned whether frequent sonar work in the area in the weeks before could have damaged the hearing and navigational abilities of the whales.

The research licence has been granted by NatureScot, the public body that advises Scottish ministers on issues relating to the environment.

David Ainsley, a marine biologist and founder of a wildlife and whale watching company, told news outlet The Ferret: “We believe NatureScot acted beyond their powers.

“To grant a licence, they should have, but did not, prove that there was no satisfactory alternative to the use of acoustic seal scarers.”

He believes NatureScot should rescind the licence and anti-predator nets would make a satisfactory alternative.

Don Staniford, an anti-salmon farming campaigner, said: “All ADDs [acoustic deterrent devices] should be switched off, including GenusWave. If salmon farms cannot operate without disturbing wildlife then they should close down.”

A freedom of information request submitted by Staniford showed GenusWave has permission to test the technology over two years, from July 2022, to ascertain its effect on cetaceans. The licence “permits the disturbance of harbour porpoise, bottlenose, common, white-beaked and risso’s dolphins, minke and killer whale” at various sites in norther Scotland operated by the salmon farming company Loch Duart.

Environmental Standards Scotland ruled last year that fish farms required a licence to use ADDs and would only be granted one if they could prove it would have no negative effect on marine life.

Marine Scotland, another government body responsible for managing Scotland’s seas and fisheries alongside NatureScot, has been inspecting fish farms to ensure they are adhering to guidelines on the devices. Fish farmers must obtain any relevant consents or demonstrate it will not harm marine mammals before using the technology.

GenusWave says Tast is “light years more advanced than primitive acoustic deterrent devices”.

NatureScot said Tast operates at a lower frequency than other acoustic deterrents. A spokeswoman for NatureScot said: “As the purpose of the research was to assess the impacts of the acoustic device, an alternative was obviously not considered and instead we reviewed how the research could be conducted as safely as possible.”

She said a trained observer would ensure no animals were within the range where hearing damage could be caused when the device was activated.