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Shipping noise ‘may cause hearing loss’ in seals
Harbour seal
Harbour seals are declining in some regions of the UK, yet half of the SACs associated with them had a high risk of exposure to shipping.
Study maps risk areas for shipping exposure

Seals may experience temporary hearing loss from underwater vessel noise, according to new research by the University of St Andrews.

Ecologists developed maps to show the risk of exposure to vessel noise among the UK’s grey and harbour seals. They found that 11 out of 25 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) had a high risk of overlap between seals and shipping.

The findings are particularly significant to harbour seals, according to a paper published in the Journal of Applied Ecology. Harbour seals are declining in some regions of the UK, yet half of the SACs associated with them had a high risk of exposure to shipping.

Lead author Dr Esther Jones said: “Exposure risk was highest within 50km of the coast, and any impacts will have the greatest effect on harbour seals as they generally stay close to the land.”

The team also investigated the underwater noise levels that individual animals are exposed to in the Moray Firth on the north east coast of Scotland. For 20 out of the 28 animals they observed, predicted noise levels were high enough to cause temporary hearing loss, termed temporary threshold shift (TTS).

Dr Jones said the noise can affect how sea mammals such as whales, dolphins and seals find food and communicate with one another.

“Urbanisation of the marine environment is inevitably going to continue, so chronic ocean noise should be incorporated explicitly into marine spatial planning and management plans for existing marine protected areas,” she explained.

Researchers are now deploying high resolution sound and movement tags to explore the total noise exposure of individual seals and their subsequent behaviour.

Dr Jones added: “We now need to begin assessing any behavioural changes of seals as a result of chronic exposure to underwater noise, so that we can understand the implications of those changes on individuals and ultimately on population dynamics.”

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.