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

Federal government has not ruled out the use of underwater explosives and bean bag rounds' in trial off north-west Tasmania

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our free news app; get our morning email briefing

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.