‘More seals could be shot because of fish farming’

There is an “urgent” need to develop new predator deterrents for fish farms as the growing industry could see more seals being shot, according to a new report.

The Scottish Association for Marine Science paper found the impact of proposed salmon sector expansion would be most “significant” on the sea mammals.

Acoustic deterrent devices (ADDS) are the most common form of technology used to resolve the issue in Scotland at present.

But academics have called for new non-lethal methods to be developed to discourage the predators from attempting to hunt the farmed fish, as questions still surround the effectiveness of ADDS.

The recommendations come in the Review of the Environmental Impacts Of Salmon Farming in Scotland Report.