Along with fears for the fish population at the Ythan Estuary, the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Greens have voiced concerns for Newburgh’s seal population – known to breed at the site.
A seal cull in Gardenstown harbour by the Scottish Wild Salmon Company was averted in April last year following vocal opposition from conservation activists Sea Shepherd.
The charity had estimated around 70 had been slaughtered by the company near the town, and a further 150 were under threat.
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Greens co-convener, Debra Storr, claimed the company had a reputation for being “aggressive” towards the animals.
However, Audrey Forbes-Clarke, fishing manager of the Ythan Fishery, said the firm would be using sonar equipment to ensure the safety of the animals.
She said: “We’re all concerned about the seals, we just want to keep them at the bottom of the estuary.
“We use sonar equipment, we have used sonar equipment for years, the last six or seven years and it is amazing how it works.”
Ms Storr added: “USAN has a reputation for being fairly aggressive in their approach on seals. There’s a large breeding population of seals there, if the sonar keeps the seals away from their nets it also keeps them away from their breeding area.
“Every time I go to Newburgh beach there are dozens and dozens of people watching for seals, any impact on these seals will be very unpopular.”
The Scottish Government is expected to introduce new conservation measures for salmon fishing in 2016.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 all fisheries who require to manage seal predation have to apply for a seal licence.
“A licence will only be granted if there is no satisfactory alternative. Even where a licence has been granted, shooting should always be undertaken as a last resort.”