Undersea sound devices ban plan doesn't go far enough say campaigners

Sea animals like dolphins are badly affected by underwater sounds.

Plans for a partial ban on controversial machines which emit underwater sound pulses are a fudge and don’t go far enough, campaigners and politicians have warned.

It was announced last week the salmon industry is “no longer using” Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs), which can harm protected marine species.

But the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation added devices which comply with certain regulations would remain. The machines are used to deter seals from fish farms but opponents say the sound pulses cause pain to dolphins, porpoises and whales.

Campaigners say better netting, or separating fish farms from the seas, provide more environmentally-friendly solutions. Jean and David Ainsley, who run a tourism wildlife boat and are members of campaign group Coastal Communities Network, have launched an online petition calling for a ban on all ADDs.

Scottish Greens’ environment spokesman Mark Ruskell said: “The salmon farming industry have clear options to control seals by simply using thicker nets.”

The Scottish Government said it “welcomes steps taken by the aquaculture sector to remove ADDs which may disturb” marine mammals.