§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures exist to ensure that companies test sonic repellents to determine the physiological and wider effects of their devices on marine wildlife before they are put into commercial operation.
§ Mr. AtkinsI am not aware of any evidence to suggest that such devices in use represent a threat to marine wildlife. The Department, jointly, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, is sponsoring Loughborough university to carry out research into acoustic position fixing devices, and the use of passive deterrents, on fishing nets, aimed at reducing cetacean fatalities through bycatches.