Marine mammal mitigation during innovative sonic treatment

28 Apr 23

Marine mammal mitigation during innovative sonic treatment

Aqua Pharma Group approached APEM to carry out an MMO (Marine Mammal Observer) role during the testing of their innovative sonic treatment for sea lice at a Scottish sea fish farm in Shetland.

The project

Aqua Pharma were testing the use of innovative sonic technology to solve fish parasite problems. An alternative, low-chemical approach to standard medical treatments, the technology treats fish lice, improving fish welfare and reducing the amount of chemicals put into the water and the food chain. APEM were employed as MMO as part of environmental trials to see whether the technology can be safely operated in an open marine environment.

Six people wearing life jackets stand in front of a water body with hills behind them.

Matt Geen, Matt Geen Consulting; Stuart Ferguson, Aqua Pharma; Ashleigh Kitchiner, APEM; Stephen Mark, S and A Techs; Steve Ellis, Industrial Noise & Vibration Centre; Ian Jamieson, Pulcea

The Fighter getting in position to run the sonic treatment trials

The approach

The treatment uses oscillating bubbles in low concentration hydrogen peroxide using innovative sonic technology. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂ or oxygenated water) is naturally present in rainwater, fresh fruit and the human body, and is known to decompose into water and oxygen. The bubbles help to kill fish lice, particularly adult gravid females, reducing the parasitic load and chance of lice breeding again.

APEM’s role

Marine mammals are sensitive to sound. And by its nature, sonic technology introduces noise into the marine environment. It is vital, therefore, that projects adhere to the conditions on the project’s European Protected Species licence, which includes the requirement to follow strict marine mammal mitigation protocols as defined in relevant guidance documents covering best practices, issued by JNCC and other statutory nature conservation bodies (SNCBs).

APEM deployed a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) to coordinate and implement mitigation during the research trail. Mitigation measures included pre-watches, shut-downs and/or delays to operations where needed. The MMO made sure that the project adhered to all licence conditions, with no non-compliances occurring.

The view from a boat over a water body at sunrise. A buoy and fisheries equipment are in the water.

The morning commute to the Shetland sea farm

The result

Rachel Brown, global innovation manager of Breeze consortium partner and project activity leader, Aqua Pharma Group, said:

These recent in-situ trials are a momentous milestone in this project. We know from our many years of treatment experience that the marine environment is challenging, and we know from our research so far that this system has the potential to be an effective treatment against sea lice. So it is great news that the equipment has performed well in these trials and we are a step closer to bringing a system to market that can really help make a difference to fish farmers.

This innovative solution considers environmental impact and animal welfare, contributing to the successful scaling of sustainably managed fish and shrimp, to meet the growing demand for healthy proteins. We’re delighted to play a part in progressing sustainability in aquaculture and fisheries.

APEM’s MMO for the trial was Ashleigh Kitchiner, who said:

It was a pleasure for APEM to work with the Aqua Pharma Group and Pulcea team on this research trial. It is clear they have placed a great deal of emphasis on protecting the marine environment whilst trying to ensure an efficacious treatment against sea lice. We are looking forward to working with them on future trials across Scotland.