The Marine Stewardship Council gave money to Namibian scientists who want to keep seals away from fishing nets. The group handed out 40 million Namibian dollars to 85 different ocean projects around the world. The Namibian Hake Association teams up with researchers to test new sound equipment on boats. The machine makes low noises that scare seals without hurting them permanently. This technology stops seals from getting caught accidentally when fishermen catch fish.
Thomas Götz leads the research team that studies how sounds affect seal behavior underwater. Scientists have learned that certain noises make seals swim away quickly from fishing areas. The sound triggers automatic fear responses deep inside seal brains and nervous systems. Old methods used loud alarms that damaged seal hearing over time. Seals also learned to ignore these older warning systems after hearing them repeatedly.
New acoustic devices produce gentler sounds that still make seals leave fishing zones immediately. The equipment targets natural flight instincts that all seals carry from birth onward. Seals cannot become used to these specific sound frequencies like previous technologies. Other countries test electronic monitors that track fishing boat activities across the ocean waters. South Africa receives funding to recycle old fishing equipment into useful materials.
Robert Howes runs the Marine Stewardship Council and praised all the winning research teams. He wants oceans filled with healthy sea life that thrives for future generations. Strong partnerships between fishermen and scientists create better solutions for everyone involved. The fund helps support important changes that protect marine animals from harm. These projects balance human food needs with wildlife protection goals across global waters.
Thomas Götz leads the research team that studies how sounds affect seal behavior underwater. Scientists have learned that certain noises make seals swim away quickly from fishing areas. The sound triggers automatic fear responses deep inside seal brains and nervous systems. Old methods used loud alarms that damaged seal hearing over time. Seals also learned to ignore these older warning systems after hearing them repeatedly.
New acoustic devices produce gentler sounds that still make seals leave fishing zones immediately. The equipment targets natural flight instincts that all seals carry from birth onward. Seals cannot become used to these specific sound frequencies like previous technologies. Other countries test electronic monitors that track fishing boat activities across the ocean waters. South Africa receives funding to recycle old fishing equipment into useful materials.
Robert Howes runs the Marine Stewardship Council and praised all the winning research teams. He wants oceans filled with healthy sea life that thrives for future generations. Strong partnerships between fishermen and scientists create better solutions for everyone involved. The fund helps support important changes that protect marine animals from harm. These projects balance human food needs with wildlife protection goals across global waters.
