Seals harmed by open-pen salmon farms
Sea lion tangled and drowned in a salmon farm net Photo by Twyla Roscovich
Sea lions trapped inside a salmon farm pen Photo Clayoquot Action
Examples of seal interactions with open-pen salmon farms
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“A number of B.C. fish farms have seen a spike in attacks from sea lions, prompting multiple companies to request the use of rubber bullets as a deterrent, internal government communications reveal.”
“B.C.’s coastal fish farms have attracted large marine predators for more than 30 years. In the past, licence holders could shoot problem animals dead.”
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“Of all B.C. [British Columbia, Canada] mammals killed at salmon farms, seals and sea lions have taken the biggest hit. Between 1990 and 2022, mandatory reporting to DFO shows 6,116 harbour seals, 1,426 California sea lions and 379 Stellar sea lions were either shot or drowned at salmon farms.”
“In 2022, dozens of sea lions entered two fish farms in Clayoquot Sound to feast on farm salmon over the course of several weeks. According to DFO data, four drowned at these two sites that year and another death is under investigation.” March 16, 2024
Fish Farms Kill: The long history and heavy toll salmon farms have had on fish and wildlife
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“Following the escape [of farmed salmon from a feedlot in Maine, USA], divers inspected the nets to determine how the seals got into the cages. In accordance with farm management plans, the nets were confirmed to be properly tied, with a second layer of predator netting in place around the primary netting.”
“… ‘government needs to responsibly manage predator populations.’” – “said Joel Richardson, vice president for public relations for Cooke Aquaculture USA [the salmon farming company in question].”
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“A gang of seals has been caught on film making their escape from a salmon farm – after enjoying an all-you-can-eat buffet of caged fish [in Scotland].”
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“Seals interactions with salmon farms are common in Australia’s South-east Marine Region (Pemberton and Shaughnessy, 1993). Management responses have ranged from investment in pen designs to prevent seals from entering pens, to physical relocation of seals. Entanglement and subsequent death of seals in fish farm nets remains a problem.”. “Salmon farms have had a significant impact on seal foraging behaviour on Tasmania’s south east coast.”
Environment Tasmania (2020). A Fresh Approach: Tasmanian Salmon Consumer Guide
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“Right to Information figures show [salmon farming company] Tassal fired 2,259 seal crackers and 201 bean bag bullets in the 14 months between January 2021 and March 2022. There have been five reported seal deaths in Tassal leases in that time.”
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“Despite the numerous complaints that have been filed with government agencies for intentional elimination of sea lion specimens, which occurred inside salmon farming centers, to date there is only one conviction with a fine […].”