The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Seal death probe looks at harbour blasts possibility
Autopsy: Animal suffered brain and ear damage
An autopsy has found that blasting work carried out at the Aberdeen harbour expansion project “cannot be ruled out” as a contributory factor in the death of a young grey seal.
The animal was found dead at the Nigg Bay site in September and sent to the Marine Animal Stranding Scheme for testing.
Concern was raised that underwater blasting at the £350 million development, which started a month earlier, may have played a hand in the creature’s death.
An interim necropsy report has now found a pneumonia infection caused the death, but added that damage found to the brain and ears means blasting work “cannot be categorically ruled out”.
The report added the animal could have been put in “significant stress” if it were exposed to severe noise while suffering from the illness.
In response, Aberdeen Harbour said marine mammal observers are in place “prior to and during all drilling and blasting operations” and that “no seals have been observed” during these times within the mitigation zone.
Further analysis is now being undertaken on damage to the animal’s brain, which the report said “would not be inconsistent with exposure to underwater sound”.
Licensing laws mean observations for marine life have to be carried out within a 1km radius, 30 minutes before a blast.
However, Mark Carter, a marine biologist from campaign group Seal Scotland, said questions still need answered.
He said: “They say it is a strict regime and they say they look out a kilometre for 30 minutes beforehand, but with a young seal, especially when it’s ill, will you see it in those conditions?”
A spokeswoman for Aberdeen harbour said: “The pathologist report has concluded that the animal exhibited disease pathology severe enough to account for the death of the animal.
“Experienced marine mammal observers are in place prior to and during all drilling and blasting operations within Nigg Bay, in accordance with the requirements of the Marine Licence.”