Our organisation opposes the killing of wild predators to protect fish in farming systems. Our organisation supports the control of predators via non-lethal methods, including deterrent techniques or physical exclusion such as submerged nets or curtains around pens, which do not pose any risk to wildlife.

SPCA is concerned with the use of deterrent and exclusion devices, where the welfare impacts on wild animals are poorly understood.

SPCA advocates for more investment into research on the impact of fish farms on wildlife, including the use of deterrent and exclusion devices that may harm marine wildlife, including netting that does not minimise the risk of entrapment and acoustic deterrents.

SPCA advocates that fish farms integrate best practices into an around-the-clock monitoring programme to ensure mitigation measures to protect fish stocks do not cause welfare harm to marine mammals and seabirds.

Mitigation programmes should discourage activities that attract marine mammals and seabirds, minimise artificial lighting which attracts prey fish, use feeding rates and systems that minimise attraction of animals, use predator-resistant materials in facility construction, maintain good sanitary and rubbish practices, and routine maintenance of sea pen nets and pens.