It’s been a busy time for us here at OSC as today marks yet another new publication release! This latest paper investigates sound levels of an innovative new Acoustic Harassment Device (AHD), produced by OTAQ and known as the ‘SealFence’. AHDs are widely used on finfish farms to deter pinniped predation, however, their effects on non-target marine fauna and their actual sound output in operational settings are understudied and poorly characterised. Research shows that more than 50% of Scottish salmon farm utilise AHDs, highlighting the importance of fully understanding the impact that these devices could have on non-target species, along with further investigating the marine soundscape that their usage creates.
In this study, OSC Managing Directors Dr. Victoria Todd and Ian Todd led data collection, analysis, and reporting, further adding to their extensive portfolio of cetacean based, and marine noise monitoring research.
The investigation found that this novel “SealFence” AHD operates at markedly lower source levels than standard devices, suggesting a reduced acoustic footprint, and potentially reduced impact on non-target species as a result. While these results are promising, further study is required to determine the devices efficacy against seal deterrence, along with assessing the behavioural responses in other non-target marine mammals.
You can find out more about this study and read the published paper in full and for free here. If you are interested in any other research OSC has carried out, our full publication list can be found here. Stay tuned for more of our upcoming releases, as we have several other publications in the pipeline!
