MIT2024-07 Hector's Dolphin Acoustic Deterrence Devices in Trawl and Set Net Fisheries
August 2026 - Australia
Client: Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai
Two types of acoustic devices are regularly utilised in New Zealand waters to alert marine mammals to the presence of fishing gear, and/or to deter them from areas of risk or potential feeding opportunities. The two devices are the Netguard Dolphin Pinger (60 – 120 kHz model) and the STM Dolphin Deterrent Device (DDD) (DDD03H model). In 2025, JASCO Applied Sciences (Australia) (JASCO) undertook a measurement and modelling study (Warren et al. 2025) for Seafood New Zealand and the New Zealand Department of Conservation to verify the source characteristics and calculate underwater sound propagation associated with the two acoustic devices. This study reports on at-sea measurement trials conducted in April 2026 off the coast of Timaru, New Zealand that aimed to test the modelled assumptions (Warren et al. 2025) in a real world scenario by measuring the propagation of sound emitted by the devices and comparing it to the modelled outputs.