What progress has been made towards the development of species-specific acoustic deterrent devices; which species can be targeted by these …

Answered Asked by Robin Harper Green Lodged 17 Dec 2009

The question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards the development of species-specific acoustic deterrent devices; which species can be targeted by these devices; how effective they have been found to be, and when and where they have been tested or deployed.

The answer

Answered by Richard Lochhead on 25 Jan 2010 · 39 days after it was lodged, on time

A Scottish Government sponsored research project has reviewed existing deterrents and developed a cetacean-friendly seal scarer using novel artificial sounds. This research showed, through captive experiments, that seals can be deterred by many sounds but that this effect can gradually disappear over time. The new acoustic deterrent involves a ˜startle stimulus'' which appears to continue to work over time.
The Scottish Government has considered possible funding for testing this new species-specific acoustic deterrent in the field and now plans to support a follow-on project.

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S3W-30203 by reference.