Finnish trout farmer rolls out systems for seals

02 February 2024

Challenge

Operating in the colder waters of Finland, Laitakarin Kala noted that it was losing up to 20 tonnes of fish out of its annual output of around 200 tonnes due to seal predation. Laitarakin was looking for an easy-to-use solution that would keep their fish safe from seals.

Solution

Ace Aquatec installed eight A-ASR®(Acoustic Startle Response) US3 devices at Laitakarin’s Vatunki side on a trial which proved successful in combating seal predation. The mid-frequency A-ASR® device uses a triggered mechanism to produce low-volume noise, provoking a startle response in the seals. Its randomised computer-generated sound patterns avoid the hearing risks and habituation effects of single-frequency systems. The mid-frequency sounds do not cause injury or disturbance to the seals as the transmitted sounds are below the acceptable thresholds.

Results and Benefits

The A-ASR® devices were easy to deploy, which was important to Laitakarin Kala as it needed to be able to install and deinstall the systems depending on when the winter season started. All systems were linked up to the ASR portal, allowing the farmers to remotely monitor and control the devices. Since the installation of the A-ASR® US3 devices, Laitakarin Kala had not lost any fish to predation. They also noted that, when using the device, seals still approached the wider area, but they did not attack the pens. In May 2024, Ace Aquatec will help set up devices in eight pens at Vatunki. A further six units will be installed at the company’s Martinniemi site, which trialled two A-ASR® devices in 2023 and is now expanding.