Acoustic deterrent devices

Underwater sound-emitting devices (maximum level of intensity equivalent to approximately 175 dB re 1 µPa @ 1m) attached to fishing gear, principally gillnets. ADD’s such as acoustic pingers are now mandated for use in some fisheries in the U.S. Northwest Atlantic, California driftnet, and in Europe. The sound of these devices is believed to alert an animal to the presence of the net and thus decrease the probability of entanglement. Although some studies have shown that pingers can have the unintended consequence of attracting pinnipeds to fishing operations (Bordino et al., 2002) , this may be controllable by raising the emitted frequency of the pingers above seal hearing (Kraus et al., 1997). Other ADD’s emit sounds of such high intensity that they cause pain or alarm in certain underwater species. The minimum sound level is approximately 200 dB re 1 _Pa @ 1m (Olesiuk et al., 2002). Other ADD’s include audio recordings of an animal in distress, or of its predator, played to deter individuals of that species from entering into a fishing area. Jefferson and Curry  concluded that this technique was largely ineffective for reducing marine mammal interactions with fishing activity based on their review of multiple studies. Sounds produced to disrupt the normal echolocation abilities of cetaceans are also considered ADD’s. Preliminary research in Europe has shown some promise that these devices reduce depredation by bottlenose dolphins in gillnets and trammel nets, although habituation may be a challenge (Mooney et al. 2009) . The use of loud explosive devices, including gunshots, to scare non-target species such as sea lions away from a fishing operation can also be used. Deterrence may result from noise or tactile annoyance. Anecdotal evidence from some fishermen suggests this practice is widespread though its efficacy is not backed up by a number of studies, and it obviously threatens animal survival (Matkin 1994).

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Study Type: 

Field study in the wild

Location: 

Ireland

Target catch: 

Pollock

Effect on bycatch species: 

Apparent decrease in interactions

Effect on target catch: 

No effect

Article: 

Bycatch species: 

Reduction technique: 

Fishing Gear: 

Study Type: 

Field study in the wild

Location: 

Omura Bay, Japan

Target catch: 

Not studied

Effect on bycatch species: 

Initially, pinger use decreased porpoise encounter rates with gillnets. However, this effect decreased over time but was effective later after temporary cessation of pinger use.

Effect on target catch: 

Not tested

Article: 

Bycatch species: 

Reduction technique: 

Fishing Gear: 

A summary of bycatch reduction techniques

  • Acoustic deterrent devices, including pingers, 2017
  • Whale-release rope, 2020

Study Type: 

Summary study

Location: 

Cornwall

Target catch: 

Hake

Effect on bycatch species: 

Only the AIRMAR pinger worked satisfactorily

Effect on target catch: 

N/A

Article: 

Bycatch species: 

Reduction technique: 

Fishing Gear: 

Study Type: 

Field study in the wild

Location: 

Bay of Fundy

Target catch: 

na

Effect on bycatch species: 

Whales showed a strong response to alert signals.

Effect on target catch: 

N/A

Article: 

Study Type: 

Field study in the wild

Location: 

Australia

Target catch: 

N/A

Effect on bycatch species: 

Humpback whales responded to 'tones' by moving offshore and surfacing more often, perhaps trying to avoid the stimuli. Responses to social sounds were more variable.

Effect on target catch: 

N/A

Article: 

Study Type: 

Summary study

Target catch: 

N/A

Effect on bycatch species: 

Net alarms do not appear ver effective in reducing small cetacean entanglements in gillnets

Effect on target catch: 

N/A

Article: 

Study Type: 

Field study in the wild

Location: 

Queensland, Australia

Target catch: 

Shark

Effect on bycatch species: 

The current net/pinger configuration is adequate for humpback whales, dugongs and dolphins swimming at normal travelling speeds. The current pinger spacing is insufficient for dolphins swimming straight at the net at high speeds.

Effect on target catch: 

N/A

Article: 

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