seal bomb

9.8

A small underwater explosive fishermen use to scare seals from fishing areas

noun

: bomba de foca

The fishermen deployed a seal bomb to keep sea lions away from their catch.

Examples

Using a seal bomb is a controversial method to protect fish stocks from predatory mammals.
Environmental groups have raised concerns about the impact of seal bombs on marine life.
The fisherman used a seal bomb to protect his nets.
Many seal bombs are effective in deterring seals.
The fishermen deployed a seal bomb to keep sea lions away from their catch.
Using a seal bomb is a controversial method to protect fish stocks from predatory mammals.
Environmental groups have raised concerns about the impact of seal bombs on marine life.

Synonyms

torpedo

vsseal bomb

Archaic

1 6.7

A small explosive used to make a loud bang to warn people

is meant specifically to explode underwater to scare marine mammals from fishing areas

Surface Forms

seal bomb singular

seal bombs plural

Morphology

seal + bomb

The compound 'seal bomb' is transparently built from 'seal' (the marine mammal) + 'bomb' (an explosive), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it is an explosive device used in connection with seals (e.g., to scare or deter them). While precise technical details like size or that it is set off underwater are specialised, the core purpose—a bomb used for/against seals—is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Seal bomb is a small underwater bomb used to frighten seals and other sea animals away from fishing areas. The name comes from the literal picture of a seal and a bomb, a loud noise near the animals, so today it means a device used 'to scare' or 'keep away' sea animals.