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A case study to ascertain the impact of fireworks on marine species has recommended that loud explosive fireworks displays be banned along coastlines near breeding colonies, roosting sites and protected areas.
A case study to ascertain the impact of fireworks on marine species has recommended that loud explosive fireworks displays be banned along coastlines near breeding colonies, roosting sites and protected areas.
The short-term case study by Sea Search, an environmental conservation organisation, was commissioned by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, after an application for a High Court interdict to stop the V&A Waterfront from carrying out a New Year’s Eve fireworks display last year failed.
The V&A Waterfront is home to several threatened and globally endangered marine and coastal species.
The SPCA said the court judgment hinged on the fact that there had been no scientific research to prove animals suffered from the sound of fireworks.
“The reasons for the court dismissal included evidence presented by the SPCA regarding the reasonable apprehension of harm due to fireworks was deemed inadequate, as it relied on hearsay reports.
“In a South African first, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA commissioned a short-term study of the impacts of fireworks on marine species.”
“The results of the study conducted by Sea Search confirm what we’ve always known to be true,” the SPCA said, “and we now have scientific research that supports our position of animal suffering as a result of firework activity.”
The study indicates that both Hartlaub’s gulls and Cape fur seals (subjects selected for the study) exhibited a strong behavioural response to the fireworks display.
In the case study, a total of 2 754 Cape fur seal vocalisations and 1 101 Hartlaub’s gull caws were documented from 15:00 on 31 December 2023 to 09:00 on 1 January 2024.
Video and audio data was collected at the V&A Waterfront during the 2023 New Year’s Eve celebrations, which included live music and a five minute fireworks display.
“In the study various recording devices were stationed around the Waterfront to document the impacts of the fireworks display on the marine environment and select species.
The recording devices were stationed over four sites to record the in-air soundscape and vocal behaviour of Cape fur seals, Cape cormorants and Hartlaub’s gulls.
Commenting on the findings of the case study, the SPCA said it emphasised the impact fireworks had on the behaviour of marine species.
“It said their behavioural response to the firework display included:
- increased vocal behaviour
- shift from sleeping to vigilant and locomotive behaviour.
The association emphasised the rare and impulsive nature of fireworks had clear short-term effects such as fear, anticipatory anxiety and increased stress responses.
“In conclusion, the study recommends that fireworks be eliminated along the coastlines and near breeding colonies, roosting sites and protected areas.
“This recommendation is made in consideration of the presence of sensitive and/or endangered species in the area and the potential impacts of fireworks on their behaviour and welfare.”
