Ospreys and freshwater fishery operators can coexist with appropriate management. Understanding successful coexistence strategies protects both birds and businesses.
Ospreys deterred from fish farms by legal scaring methods experience increased foraging effort to find alternative prey - a welfare cost that is acceptable given legal and ecological context. However, scaring methods that cause physical harm or excessive stress go beyond acceptable deterrence. Coexistence strategies that deter without harming protect osprey welfare while supporting fishery viability.