Conservationists call for ban on explosives to scare seals at salmon farm in federal waters off Tasmania

Tasmania has refused to ban the use of ‘seal crackers’ and other deterrents in state waters but salmon companies have sought to reduce their reliance on some of the practices. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian

Environment groups have called on the federal government to rule out the use of explosives and guns loaded with “bean bag” rounds to scare seals at a proposed salmon farming trial in commonwealth waters off the north-west coast of Tasmania.

Under Tasmanian laws, the companies are allowed to use underwater explosives, known as “seal crackers”, to deter predators at farms in state waters. Other authorised measures include shooting seals with fabric coated plastic shells containing lead shot, known as bean bag rounds and darts with blunt tips known as “scare caps”. Official documents show some seals have been killed.