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The effect of a startle-eliciting device on the foraging success of individual harbor seals (Phoca vitulina).
McKeegan, Kathleen A; Clayton, Kate; Williams, Rob; Ashe, Erin; Reiss, Stephanie; Mendez-Bye, Andrea; Janik, Vincent M; Goetz, Thomas; Zinkgraf, Matthew; Acevedo-Gutiérrez, Alejandro.
Afiliação
  • McKeegan KA; Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, 98225, USA. k.a.mckeegan@gmail.com.
  • Clayton K; Research and Recovery Program, Skagit River System Cooperative, P.O. Box 368, La Conner, WA, 98257-0368, USA. k.a.mckeegan@gmail.com.
  • Williams R; Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, 98225, USA.
  • Ashe E; Oceans Initiative, 117 E Louisa St. #135, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA.
  • Reiss S; Oceans Initiative, 117 E Louisa St. #135, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA.
  • Mendez-Bye A; Oceans Initiative, 117 E Louisa St. #135, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA.
  • Janik VM; Oceans Initiative, 117 E Louisa St. #135, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA.
  • Goetz T; Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, East Sands, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, UK.
  • Zinkgraf M; Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, East Sands, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, UK.
  • Acevedo-Gutiérrez A; Biology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, 98225, USA.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 3719, 2024 02 14.
Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38355948
ABSTRACT
Pinniped predation on commercially and ecologically important prey has been a source of conflict for centuries. In the Salish Sea, harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are suspected of impeding the recovery of culturally and ecologically critical Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.). In Fall 2020, a novel deterrent called Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology (TAST) was deployed at Whatcom Creek to deter harbor seals from preying on fall runs of hatchery chum (O. keta) and Chinook (O. tshawytscha) salmon in Bellingham, Washington, USA. Field observations were conducted in 2020 to compare the presence and foraging success of individual harbor seals across sound exposure (TAST-on) and control (TAST-off) conditions. Observations conducted the previous (2019) and following (2021) years were used to compare the effects observed in 2020 to two control years. Using photo-identification, individual seals were associated with foraging successes across all 3 years of the study. Generalized linear mixed models showed a significant 45.6% reduction in the duration (min) individuals remained at the creek with TAST on, and a significant 43.8% reduction in the overall foraging success of individuals. However, the observed effect of TAST varied across individual seals. Seals that were observed regularly within one season were more likely to return the year after, regardless of TAST treatment. Generalized linear models showed interannual variation in the number of seals present and salmon consumed. However, the effect of TAST in 2020 was greater than the observed variation across years. Our analyses suggest TAST can be an effective tool for managing pinniped predation, although alternate strategies such as deploying TAST longer-term and using multi-unit setups to increase coverage could help strengthen its effects. Future studies should further examine the individual variability found in this study.
Assuntos

Texto completo: 1 Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Oncorhynchus / Phoca Idioma: En Ano de publicação: 2024 Tipo de documento: Article

Texto completo: 1 Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Oncorhynchus / Phoca Idioma: En Ano de publicação: 2024 Tipo de documento: Article