The effect of Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology on the foraging success of individual harbor seals
Research Mentor(s)
Alejandro Acevedo-Gutiérrez
Description
Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are abundant generalist predators in the Pacific Northwest that may be impeding the recovery of Pacific Salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.). Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) are used to mitigate pinniped predation on salmon, however they often cause harm and/or habituation. A novel ADD called Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology (TAST) triggers the startle reflex in harbor seal brains, deterring them from preying on salmon without causing harm or habituation. However, the effectiveness of TAST on individuals is unknown. TAST was deployed at the Whatcom Creek Hatchery fish ladder during fall 2020 where harbor seals routinely prey upon Chum (O. keta) and Chinook (O. tshawytscha) spawning salmon. Photographs were collected during observations and used for photo identification of individual seals to track foraging successes. Individual seal presence and duration was compared between TAST on and off days using multivariate statistical analyses. The impact of TAST on individual foraging successes was assessed using Generalized linear mixed-effects models. Analysis concluded TAST reduced the amount of time individuals spent at the creek, but its impact on individual foraging success was varied. This research suggests that individual variability needs to be considered when using TAST to mitigate harbor seal predation on salmonids.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
May 2022
End Date
May 2022
Location
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Department
CSE - Biology
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
The effect of Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology on the foraging success of individual harbor seals
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are abundant generalist predators in the Pacific Northwest that may be impeding the recovery of Pacific Salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.). Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) are used to mitigate pinniped predation on salmon, however they often cause harm and/or habituation. A novel ADD called Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology (TAST) triggers the startle reflex in harbor seal brains, deterring them from preying on salmon without causing harm or habituation. However, the effectiveness of TAST on individuals is unknown. TAST was deployed at the Whatcom Creek Hatchery fish ladder during fall 2020 where harbor seals routinely prey upon Chum (O. keta) and Chinook (O. tshawytscha) spawning salmon. Photographs were collected during observations and used for photo identification of individual seals to track foraging successes. Individual seal presence and duration was compared between TAST on and off days using multivariate statistical analyses. The impact of TAST on individual foraging successes was assessed using Generalized linear mixed-effects models. Analysis concluded TAST reduced the amount of time individuals spent at the creek, but its impact on individual foraging success was varied. This research suggests that individual variability needs to be considered when using TAST to mitigate harbor seal predation on salmonids.