Mitigating fur seal interactions: relocation from Tasmanian aquaculture farms

Published source details Robinson S., Terauds A., Gales R. & Greenwood M. (2008) Mitigating fur seal interactions: relocation from Tasmanian aquaculture farms. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 18, 1180-1188.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Translocate mammals away from aquaculture systems to reduce human-wildlife conflict Action Link

Translocate mammals away from aquaculture systems to reduce human-wildlife conflict

A study in 2003–2005 at multiple Atlantic salmon Salmo salar farms in the Tasman Sea, Tasmania (Robinson et al. 2008) found that nearly all New Zealand fur seals Arctocephalus forsteri and Australian fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus translocated away from farms returned to the farms within two weeks of release. After each of five translocations of two New Zealand fur seals, released at sites 300 km from the farms, the seals returned within an average of seven days. After 13 of 14 translocations of nine Australian fur seals, released at sites 140 and 470 km from the farms, the seals returned within an average of three and nine days respectively. The other Australian fur seal, released 140 km away, had not returned to the farms after 113 days but was recorded visiting a salmon farm in a different area. Two New Zealand fur seals and nine Australian fur seals were translocated away from farms on 19 occasions (five seals were translocated once; four seals were translocated 2–4 times). The seals were trapped at salmon farms (number of farms not reported), satellite-tagged and released at beaches 140, 300 and 470 km away in June–October 2003–2005. Each of the 11 seals was tracked for 3–147 days and recorded at an average of six locations/day after release.

(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)