January 24, 2024

Aquaculture Stewardship Council rejects Tassal's request for seal cracker use

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has turned down a proposal from aquaculture firm Cooke's subsidiary Tassal, seeking approval for the use of "seal crackers" to deter seal predation, SeafoodSource reported.

Seal crackers, underwater pyrotechnics creating loud bangs, are intended to prevent seals from interacting with ocean net-pen salmon farms. While the ASC generally prohibits the use of seal crackers, aquaculture companies can apply for a variance.

Tassal's request followed reports from environmental groups alleging the use of up to 60,000 seal crackers over six years, prompting safety concerns for both salmon and farm staff.

Tassal argued that the seal crackers were crucial for safeguarding salmon and protecting employees from the potential risks posed by large male seals. The company highlighted 16 aggressive seal interactions in the past year, focusing on the safety risks for marine farm workers.

Despite Tassal's assertions and existing seal mitigation measures, the ASC rejected the variance request, citing insufficient evidence of unique circumstances.

Environmental groups applauded the decision and are now advocating for the suspension of Tassal's ASC certification. Alistair Allan, Marine Campaigner at Bob Brown Foundation, said that compliance with the ASC's decision is crucial for retaining public trust and faith in the certification, asserting that Tassal must cease using seal crackers to maintain ASC certification.

-       SeafoodSource