TAST granted a variance request by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) which now permits its use on their certified farms “…based on the fact that the TAST ASD is the only acoustic predator control solution available on the market whose efficacy and environmental compliance has been documented in peer-reviewed papers in the scientific literature.”

NOAA Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program grant awarded for use of TAST in Alaskan fisheries to prevent interactions with Steller sea lions. Project title: Preserving catch of salmon troll fishermen while reducing interactions with Steller sea lions (SSL): targeted acoustic startle technology (TAST) to deter SSLs from troll gear in Southeast Alaska.

TAST projects at five PNW locations awarded funding by the US National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to protect endangered salmonid species from pinniped over predation at bottlenecks to migration

TAST chosen as the winner of the Global Seafood Alliance’s Responsible Fisheries Innovation Award

Oceans Initiative recognized with the WA-BC American Fisheries Society Certificate of Appreciation award for significant contributions to protecting salmon runs in the Pacific Northwest using innovative methods with TAST

In Alaska, TAST devices are used to mitigate harmful interactions between Steller sea lions and salmon fisheries as part of work by ADFG funded by the US NMFS. The most recent report on this work described a 91-94% reduction in predation on salmon within 35m of the device, and stated that the results suggested “that TAST can be used in additional applications such as protecting endangered salmon runs in riverine environments.”

Funding granted by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for development of TAST devices to prevent harmful interactions between Cape fur seals and fisheries in Namibia

TAST approved for deterrence of seals in the Fraser River (Fort Langley, BC, Canada) under Department of Fisheries and Oceans MMR subsection 38(1) authorization

Multiple TAST projects awarded funding by the Scottish Government (Marine Fund Scotland) for use in fisheries and salmon rivers

Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Pacific Salmon Commission honored with the Western Division American Fisheries Society Conservation Achievement Award and the WA-BC American Fisheries Society Innovation Award for their use of Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology (TAST) to enhance sustainability of Fraser River test fisheries

US Federal NOAA/NMFS members confirm that TAST is compliant under Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) section 101(a)(4)(A) for protection of fishing gear or catch, prevention of damage to private property, or deterrence of marine mammals from endangering personal safety. Section 109(h) approvals have been granted for use to deter pinnipeds from predating on sensitive salmon runs. TAST also operates in accordance with current NOAA/NMFS draft noise exposure guidelines.

NOAA Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program grant awarded for use of TAST in Alaskan fisheries to prevent interactions with Steller sea lions and orcas. Project title: A novel approach to bycatch mitigation using the targeted acoustic startle technology (TAST)