Underwater speakers could help protect salmon from seals

Underwater speakers will be installed on the River Dee in Aberdeenshire aimed at protecting critically-endangered salmon from seals.

Funding of £160,000 has been secured by the University of St Andrews to develop a new "detect and deter" system on the lower part of the Dee.

The speakers will emit a sound that researchers say will prevent seals from heading upstream and preying on the salmon.

Previous technology including the use of water scooter startle devices to move seals back down the river were found to be ineffective.

The technology has previously been used in the North Esk and "results so far have been promising", according to those behind the project.

It is hoped the technology can be adapted to protect salmon from seal predation within larger rivers like the Dee which can cause challenges for current sonar technology.

The Dee District Salmon Fishery Board (DDSFB) said numbers of Atlantic salmon declined by 40% this year when compared with 2024.

This comes as grey seal populations - which are eating the fish in significant numbers - are increasing.

Debbie Cooper from DDSFB said the technology was the "latest in a protracted line of methods we have tried", none of which has worked.

She added: "We are really hopeful this new detect and deter system that has worked in the North Esk could work for us.

"Because they are endangered we have to do everything we can to save them.

"We are in a race against time now, so it is really crucial for us to be working on this technology at this time."