Cooke workers save a million juveniles after Maine seal attack

Salmon farm workers at a Cooke Aquaculture facility on the US East Coast have  saved more than a million juvenile fish following a seal attack, the company has disclosed.

The incident took place at two sites at Cross Island in Machias Bay, in Cutler, Maine, after divers had discovered two damaged cage nets.

However, despite the rapid response the attack unfortunately resulted in the loss of 50,000 small 200-400 gramme fish in cages at the two sites or 4.5% of the total stock.

Cooke said divers inspected the nets to determine the seals’ point of entry. In accordance with farm management plans, the nets were confirmed to be properly tied, and that a second layer of predator netting was in place at both sites surrounding the primary netting.

It added: “The company is now assessing how the seals gained access to the cages. There has been an increase in the seal population, and it’s believed this unusually aggressive seal behaviour is a result of that change in Machias Bay.

“Divers noted that there were no fish around the cages, which suggests they were eaten by seals in the vicinity following the breach.”

Cooke Aquaculture USA  said it is assessing the entire site for other factors, ensuring all predator nets are tied, and increasing the number of dives at each site.

“The company is exploring enhanced netting options and safety measures on all remaining cages. In accordance with State of Maine regulations, the company has reported the breach and corrective actions,” it added.

Cooke Aquaculture has been operating in Maine for more than a decade.