Project number: 2013-222
Project Status:
Completed
Budget expenditure: $313,504.40
Principal Investigator: Depha Miedecke
Organisation: Tassal Group
Project start/end date: 31 Aug 2013 - 14 Jun 2014
Contact:
FRDC

Need

Tassal is in a position where it is has become necessary to re-evaluate the measures taken for seal management and has made a commitment to zero destruction. Although relocation is used as an interim, it is recognised by all parties that this is a costly and temporary solution. Relocation carries the risk of alienating important stakeholders such as recreational and commercial fishers, who are negatively impacted by the process.

Despite the increased attention and budget dedicated to this issue, seal strikes, trappings and relocations continue to increase. Seal interactions have on numerous occasions resulted in documented and medically treated injuries and have presented, through aggressive and threatening behaviour, an unacceptable OH&S risk to marine farm employees. In order to resolve this challenging issue, a systematic co-ordinated approach is needed, with the trial and implementation of new exclusion and deterrent methods a priority.

Tassal has employed Wildlife Management Officers, whose sole responsibility is to audit and manage seal interactions, and continues to look for improved forms of exclusion technology and to gain an increased understanding of seal behaviour. As protocols dictate, Tassal works with the DPIPWE Wildlife Management Branch to evaluate new exclusion equipment.

The monofilament nets currently being used are easy for seals to breach and kikko nets have proven successful in exclusion on a small scale. It is essential that Tassal trials kikko nets in full scale commercial conditions, at high risk sites before committing to company wide implementation. Kikko nets are a significant departure from current technology and due to the expensive nature of the product, a considerable increase in overhead costs would result. Full scale trials must take place to ensure the nets are a viable investment, as there is the possibility that they will not be successful in exclusion when implemented across an entire lease.

Objectives

1. To prove kikko nets are a long term and reliable exclusion method to prevent seal interactions on its marine farms, prior to a large financial capital commitment across the company
2. To further prove the viability of in-situ net washing with the kikko technology
3. Reduce OH&S risk exposure for divers and operations staff when rigging pens
4. Identify operational functionality of the system i.e. routine operation, integrity of moorings, harvesting, net cleaning and towing
5. To evaluate the performance of kikko nets in a high energy environment
6. Measure the reduction of marine debris entering the environment
7. To disseminate the results of the project via a workshop

Related research

Environment
PROJECT NUMBER • 2023-087
PROJECT STATUS:
CURRENT

Macquarie Harbour oxygenation trial

1. Develop plume model and run scenarios to inform injection depth, flow volume, concentration, and distribution of injection points for oxygenation trials.
ORGANISATION:
University of Tasmania
Industry
Environment