Spin-out firm monitors salmon at Forth bridge

SALMON swimming up the Firth of Forth are being monitored by a device created at St Andrews University as part of efforts to minimise disturbance from the construction of the Forth replacement crossing.

PAMBuoy devices, developed by spin out company SMRU, have been attached to the legs of the existing Forth road bridge to monitor noise levels in the firth as fish head to and from the River Forth further upstream.

Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors, the consortium that is building the structure, is renting the devices from SMRU.

Cormac Booth, a scientist working on the project, said: “We have set this device specially to detect noise levels that would affect salmon and lamprey, especially those focused on noise frequencies they hear best.

“No noise levels have exceeded the regulatory thresholds, keeping the estuary open and safe for these fish allowing them to get upstream and enabling the bridge team to continue construction without any fear of breaking environmental laws.”

If noise levels break legal limits then construction work will be halted, SMRU added.

SMRU launched its PAMBuoy in September, following sea trials off the coasts of Scotland and the United States.