Scottish Company With Local Ties Recognized For Innovative Technology On A Global Scale (Photo) -10/11/24

********* For Immediate Release**********

Scottish Company with Local Ties Recognized for Innovative Technology on a Global Scale

 

WASHINGTON STATE, USA – GenusWave, a pioneer in marine mammal deterrent technology, has been selected as a finalist for the Global Seafood Alliance's Responsible Seafood Innovation Award in the Fisheries category. This recognition highlights the groundbreaking Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology (TAST) developed in collaboration with the University of St Andrews. TAST offers a revolutionary approach to reducing marine mammal interactions with human activities.

GenusWave, while headquartered in Scotland, has been actively engaged in protecting endangered salmon populations from excessive predation by pinnipeds throughout the Pacific Northwest. As the company looks to the future, it plans to enhance its conservation initiatives and explore innovative solutions to further safeguard critical ecosystems.

 

An Innovative Solution to a Persistent Problem

How does this revolutionary technology work? GenusWave's TAST utilizes short bursts of sound to trigger a startle reflex in specific marine mammal species, effectively keeping them away from conflicts with human objectives (Götz & Janik (2015; 2016). This technology addresses longstanding challenges in the seafood industry, including:

• Reduction of bycatch and marine mammal interactions
• Increased catch rates and fishing time
• Decreased fish mortalities and predator induced stress in aquaculture operations
• Significantly decreased noise pollution compared to traditional acoustic deterrents
• Species-specific targeting, minimizing impact on non-target marine life

 

Proven Results

Field tests have demonstrated the remarkable effectiveness of TAST:

• Seal predation reduction of 91-97% on salmon farms in Scotland, without impacting non-target species such as harbor porpoises (Götz & Janik (2015)).
• In the UK (bottom set gillnet and hook & line fisheries), a 97% decrease in losses to grey seals during mackerel fishing operations and a 74% increase in catch due to reduced seal disruptions (MMO (2020), Whyte et al. (2021)).
• Up to a 94% reduction in predation events by Steller sea lions on a salmon troll fishery in Alaska (Jemison et al. (work in progress)).
• In Norway, a 92% reduction in orca activity around a herring purse seine fishery (Langstein (2023)).
• In Washington State, USA, a 43.8% reduction in the overall foraging success of individual seals predating on salmon migrating through a riverine pinch point (McKeegan et al. (2024)). 
• Consistent effectiveness without habituation by target species (Götz & Janik (2016)).
   

Though the company is based in Scotland, GenusWave has been active throughout the PNW in protecting endangered salmon runs from pinniped over-predation. Projects in partnership with local groups such as Oceans Initiative have resulted in significant decreases in predation of salmonids by seals at pinch points to migration (such as dams). In an example of one such project at Whatcom Creek in Bellingham, WA, collaborators have seen inspiring results. 

Brittany Palm-Flawd, Faculty and Hatchery Manager at Bellingham Technical College, remarked,  “In partnership with the local tribes and state fisheries, the Bellingham Technical College's Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences training program operates a salmon hatchery that supports local fisheries and helps feed an endangered population of orcas. Students graduating through our college program operate a full-scale stock enhancement hatchery and train on all stages of fish culture from broodstocking to release. One of the challenges our program faces is a growing population of pinnipeds that consume the returning adult salmon in our local creek. Working with our co-managers and other research partners, we were fortunate to operate the TAST at our training hatchery for a pilot project. We saw an immediate reduction in pinniped predation on our returning salmon, allowing the students to harvest the fish and fertilize eggs for continued hatchery operations. 

We are now looking to expand our use of the TAST to improve salmon returns and train students on emerging technology for aquaculture. The team at Genuswave have been incredibly supportive of our students and our college's mission to provide workforce development for fisheries and aquaculture industries. We look forward to working more with the TAST and the GenusWave members to continue training students on the latest hatchery technology and culturing salmon to feed our finned and limbed community.“ 

Just a bit farther North in Alaska, TAST is being used to mitigate interactions between Steller sea lions and salmon fisheries. Kim Raum-Suryan, a Marine Mammal Specialist in the Protected Resources Division (Alaska Region) of the National Marine Fisheries Service; and Lauri Jemison, a Wildlife Biologist with the Gulf and Bering Marine Mammal Program of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game described their experiences with the technology: “We tested the Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology (TAST) on Steller sea lions in Southeast Alaska as a way to mitigate depredation and harmful interactions with salmon fisheries. Our testing included a new prototype developed by GenusWave designed to be deployed from salmon fishing boats. Our results are preliminary, but so far we’ve found that our tests resulted in a localized movement by Steller sea lions away from our boat during TAST sound exposure. We are very optimistic about the potential for TAST to reduce sea lion – fishery interactions, preserving fishermen’s catch and gear without causing injury to sea lions. The scientists from the University of St. Andrews have been exceptional to work with.”

 

Recognition and Future Prospects

As a finalist for the Responsible Seafood Innovation Award, GenusWave and researchers from the University of St Andrews will present at the Responsible Seafood Summit on October 22 in Scotland. This platform will showcase TAST's potential to mitigate marine mammal conflicts globally.

Kylie DaCunha, Director of Special Projects at GenusWave, highlighted the technology's versatility: "Our collaborators are successfully using TAST to mitigate interactions with various marine mammals across multiple applications. Together we’ve protected aquaculture facilities from seals in Scotland and Norway; reduced seal, orca, and sea lion interactions with fisheries in the UK, Ireland, Norway, and the US; and are helping to conserve endangered salmon populations from pinniped over-predation in North America. We believe that technology has the power to solve some of the most critical challenges facing our planet today. Sustainability is no longer a choice, but a necessity, and we’re committed to providing practical solutions that strike a balance between industry needs and the health of our natural world.” 

She continued about the company’s mission and vision: “At GenusWave, we take pride in being at the forefront of technology-driven solutions that truly make a difference. We believe that even a small technology company can have a global impact, and we’re helping to build a world where businesses don’t have to choose between profit and purpose. TAST is a scalable, practical solution. By fostering healthier ecosystems and improving operational outcomes, we’re shaping a future where business performance and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. This is what it means to use technology as a force for good, and we’re excited to be part of a global movement for meaningful, lasting impact. Together, we can create a world where innovation drives a more sustainable future.”

GenusWave's innovative approach not only aids in enhancing the efficiency of fishing and aquaculture operations but also contributes significantly to marine conservation efforts, aligning with global initiatives for sustainable and responsible seafood production. Moving forward, GenusWave is strengthening its conservation efforts and by seeking out creative solutions to better protect our essential ecosystems while balancing the demands of critical industrial activities.

For more information about GenusWave and TAST, please visit genuswave.com or contact Kylie DaCunha at kdacunha@genuswave.com.

 

About:  GenusWave is a science-based company dedicated to developing technologies that prevent human-wildlife conflict. Our main focus, Targeted Acoustic Startle Technology (TAST), deters marine mammals from human activities, ensuring their safety and minimizing disruption. TAST operates on the autonomous auditory startle reflex, triggering avoidance responses without causing harm. Our research, documented in peer-reviewed literature, continues to explore future applications to benefit both people and wildlife. 

TAST was developed at the University of St. Andrews' Scottish Oceans Institute, a globally renowned organization for marine mammal research. Our collaborative efforts aim to address the limitations of conventional Acoustic Deterrent Devices and protect marine life from human activities.