We've made two. Targeted Acoustic Sound Technology (TAST) and Sea Lice Defence Technology (SLDT), breakthroughs in sound technology. Only from GenusWave.
Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology (TAST) was developed to protect salmon farms from seal predation without harming the seals. TAST works by generating an auditory signal that triggers seals’ flight instinct, causing them to flee the area. It’s the only acoustic deterrent proven to be both effective and harmless. By successfully addressing the problem of seal predation, TAST also mitigates sea lice infestation associated with predatory stress.
Sea Lice Defence Technology (SLDT) is predicated on the fact that sea lice are attracted to salmon with elevated cortisol levels, which is commonly caused by seal predation stress. SLDT emits a sound that helps disrupt of the host identification and host attachment process that sea lice must go through to complete their life cycle.
Each of these unique technologies is backed by rigorous scientific research. Both are effective individually, but together they provide a powerful, synergistic system that stops seal predation and defends against sea lice infestation – without harming animals or their habitat.
Explore peer reviewed research on TAST’s effectiveness or read on to learn more.
Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology (TAST) is a breakthrough that’s transforming how wild animals are kept away from human activity. How does it work? TAST has an adjustable duty cycle and deterrence range that can be matched to a specific species. It’s been successful at deterring animals and reducing depredation when operating at a duty cycle of less than 1%. The effect can be localized to less than 250m. TAST emits brief, isolated sound pulses at a duty cycle that can be more than one order of magnitude lower than primitive acoustic
deterrent devices (ADDs). For example, there is a severe and escalating level of ensonification off the Scottish West Coast, which includes multiple protected areas for marine mammals. Conventional ADD’s can exceed a 50% duty cycle and can be heard over a 14km (~8.5mi) distance. They can cause habitat exclusion in non-target species. Both targeted and non-targeted species risk hearing damage if they remain in the area for extended period of times.
Studies on captive animals have demonstrated that the likelihood of a flight response and the strength of the avoidance behavior increased with each successive exposure. In contrast, seals have been shown to habituate rapidly to conventional acoustic deterrent devices.
Additionally, there is research backed correlation between the use of conventional Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADD) and seal depredation; seals appear to associate the sound from the acoustic deterrent device with food and are lured to the farm - this is known as the ‘Dinner Bell Effect’.
Stress can be tiring for all animals, not just for human beings. It consumes an animal’s energy and, in the case of fish, it can affect their health and quality as seafood. It can also lead to increased hormone levels, impairing the immune system and making fish susceptible to infection and disease. In fact, research points to higher bacterial disease among highly stressed fish. In one study, Atlantic salmon parr
were subjected continuously to a range of acute stressors for more than 30 days. Among fish that were stressed twice daily, the growth in their weight was 61% lower than in the control group after only 11 days. By decreasing or eliminating stress caused by seal predation, TAST may help boost salmons’ immune capacity, help prevent disease, and improve their quality and value.
