Discharge of Waste Nutrients |
Title: | Acronym: | Commencement date: | Location: | Brief Description: |
Reduction of solid and phosphorus waste outputs of salmonids through improvement of feed formulation. | N/A | 01-Sep-2001 | Canada (Univ. of Guelph) | The environmental impact of fish culture is becoming a matter of growing concern for the public and various levels of government in Canada. Solid organic matter wastes settling to the sediment can negatively impact freshwater ecosystems by creating localized anoxic conditions. Phosphorus (P) waste output is also a great concern, since P is generally the most limiting factor for algae in freshwater, and excess P may lead eutrophication of the receiving water body. Reduction of waste outputs is key to sustainability of salmonid culture in Canada. Since wastes are from dietary origins, reduction efforts should be at the source, namely the feed. Very significant reductions in solid and P waste outputs have been achieved in recent decades through use of improved quality feeds. More progress can be achieved through refining of the feed composition, and the use of new feed ingredients and additives to increase the digestibility of ingredients. Reduction in waste outputs can also be achieved through changes in physical characteristics of fecal wastes that could lead to improved recovery or greater dispersal of solid wastes. This project will therefore examine the value of different dietary strategies for reduction of solid and P waste outputs by salmonid culture operations. |
A multi-disciplinary approach with the integration of three trophic levels (fish/shellfish/seaweed) for the development of sustainable aquaculture systems | AquaNet EI 12 | Apr-2001 | Canada (Univ. of New Brunswick) | As present monospecific aquaculture operations in North America and other parts of the world are at environmental, economic and social crossroads, common sense suggests integrating different types of aquaculture to develop responsible practices, optimizing the efficiency of aquaculture systems and diversifying the industry, while maintaining the health of coastal waters through the understanding of their assimilative capacities. Nutrification of coastal waters is becoming a pressing issue worldwide, and the contribution of the organic and inorganic outputs of aquaculture to significant regional nutrient loading is becoming more widely recognized. To avoid pronounced shifts in coastal processes, a balanced ecosystem approach requires that fed aquaculture (finfish) be integrated with organic and inorganic extractive aquaculture (shellfish and seaweed). Such a bioremediative approach provides mutual benefits to co-cultured organisms, economic diversification by producing other value-added marine crops, increased profitability per cultivation unit, and cost-effective means for reaching effluent regulation compliance by reducing the internalization of the total environmental costs. The present project is conducting research, at an industrial pilot scale, at a site in the Passamaquoddy Bay, Bay of Fundy, Canada, where salmons, mussels, and kelps are being grown together to develop an integrated aquaculture model and train students and professionals in this innovative approach to aquaculture. The productivity and role of each component (fish, shellfish and seaweed) is being analyzed so that the appropriate proportions of each of them can be defined in order to develop a sustainable system in which metabolic processes counter-balance each other within acceptable operational limits and according to food safety guidelines and regulations. The ultimate goal of this project is to transfer this model to other sites and make it a concept transferable to other aquaculture systems. The Canadian fish aquaculture industry is obviously here to stay in our "coastal scape": it has its place in the global seafood supply and demand, and in the economy of coastal communities. To help ensure its sustainability, it needs, however, to responsibly change its too often monotrophic practices by adopting polytrophic ones to find increasing environmental, economic and social acceptability, and become better integrated into a broader coastal management framework. |
Estimating resulting environmental impact from 6 model farms (fresh water) | N/A | Ending | Denmark (IFR) | |
Magnitude and possible impact of discharge of chemicals/medicines from trout farms-P2 | N/A | Oct-2001 | Denmark (IFR) | |
Sustainable development of marine fish farming in Denmark | N/A | Dec-2001 | Denmark (IFR) | |
Effects of nutrient release from Mediterranean fish farm on benthic vegetation in coastal ecosystems | MedVeg | 01-Dec-2001 | Denmark (Univ. of Southern Denmark) | The objectives of MedVeg are to examine potential effects of nutrients released during fish farming on macroalgae and seagrasses in coastal zones in the Mediterranean. Specific objectives: Fate of nutrients released from aquaculture production in the Mediterranean; Effects of aquaculture on seagrasses and associated benthic fauna; Shifts in coastal vegetation communities (from seagrass to macroalgae); Seagrasses and fauna as early warning indicators of aquaculture impacts |
Development of an environmentally integrated shrimp farm in Madagascar | LGA Project | 1-Nov-2000 | France (Creocean) | The technical project is mainly a 1000 ha semi-intensive shrimp farm developed in a mangrove area. Due to the very sensitive location, a methodology to integrate the farm into the environment was developed. According to the application of this methodology the environmental impacts were minimized: no mangrove destruction, good water management and especially pumping water and discharge of wastewater. Thanks to these characteristics, the farm is supposed to be operational on a long-term basis. In order to check this, a monitoring program is implemented. The results are integrated into a GIS database. At the end of the program, the GIS will allow to check the success of the program. |
Environmental describers analysis for environmental impact assessment of offshore fish farm | PR170 | June-2000 | Italy (ICRAM) | The principal aim of this project is detect environmental describers for impact assessment of sea cages mariculture. The investigated area is in the Western Mediterranean (Central Tyrrhenian Sea, North Tuscany), 2.500 m southward of Porto Ercole (Grosseto). The fish cage farm works for 4 years and the species harvested are sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax L.) and sea bream ( Sparus aurata L.), in two submersible cages of 2000 m 3 each. The initial weight of the fingerlings is 5-30 g and the commercial weight of 350-400 g is reached in one year. In order to collect data and samples six sampling campaigns were planned (3 in 2001 and 3 in 2002). The sediment is collected by using a Van Veen grab (0.1 m 2, 20 l), the water is collected by using Niskin bottles. The water column is analyzed "in situ" with a multiparameter probe (SBE 25). The current was measured with an ADCP (RDI sentinel) deployed in March 2001. The following elements in the sediment are analyzed: macrobenthos; pH, redox, water content, sulfide, total carbon, total organic carbon, total nitrogen. In the water, the analysis was performed on: temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, redox, chlorophyll a, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, orthophosphate. |
Development of a blue label for fish farms; towards a certified environmental performance | Blue Label | | Netherlands (RIVO) | To develop a recirculation system with a 'certified' environmental performance which can comply with the strictest regulations; To enhance economic performance of fish farming In recirculation systems by reducing the costs for use of energy and water; To develop a tool for the calculation of heat balances of farms In relation to the type of farm building used, which can be used to balance Investments against costs for heating or cooling. |
Environmental Impacts of Aquaculture | N/A | On-going since 1984 | New Zealand (Cawthron Institute) | A number of sub-projects are involved. These range from longer-term studies of the carrying capacity of coastal inlets to studies of fouling and benthic effects. Specific projects include: development of assessment protocols; development of numerical ecosystem models to use for carrying capacity estimates; effects on demersal and pelagic fisheries; direct effects on primary and secondary production; changes to nutrient cycling in both sediments and overlying water-column; planning water space to minimise conflicts |
Development of monitoring guidelines and modelling tools for environmental effects from Mediterranean aquaculture | MERAMED | 01-Dec-2000 | Norway (Akvaplan-niva) | In the last decade aquaculture of sea bass and sea bream has experienced a period of exponential growth in the Mediterranean region, however little detailed information is available on the environmental impacts of this industry. In general, it has been assumed that these will, at least qualitatively, follow the pattern established in northern latitudes. Environmental assessment strategies, developed and proven in northern European cage farms, underpin effective regulations in those areas. However the application of such strategies to Mediterranean coastal cage farms would be inappropriate without modification and adaptation to the ecological particularities of the Mediterranean Sea. As well as the climate, current regime, and the level of eutrophication, differences in the composition and diversity of fauna and flora between the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea must be addressed. Objectives: 1. Review of procedures used in the regulation and monitoring of marine fish farms in Norway, Scotland and elsewhere and development of an appropriate set of protocols for Mediterranean conditions; 2. Undertake a field research programme to provide data on the environmental impact of eastern Mediterranean marine fish farms; 3. Develop a predictive model to simulate the environmental response at Mediterranean fish farms |
Localization of Mariculture | N/A | 1-Apr-2002 | Norway (IMR) | The project is composed of several subprojects. The overall objective is to utilise existing and providing necessary new knowledge to develop a method for localizing on growing fish farms. The main emphasis is on pathogens and spread of disease, organic effluents and animal welfare, but research on genetic interactions is ongoing. |
Cod Farming in the Marine Environment - Evaluation of automatic feeding systems to minimise environmental impact and promote sustainable cultivation of Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua) | N/A | 1-Oct-2002 | UK (Ardtoe) | There is considerable interest in the farming of cod in the UK, but only limited experience of ongrowing in sea cages. While sea cage systems will be very similar to those developed for salmon, cod feeding patterns appear to be quite different and appropriate husbandry will need to be developed. Little is known about the relative environmental impact of cod rearing, which will require to be minimised. The introduction of automated feeding systems by the salmon farming industry has dramatically improved production efficiency as well as significantly reducing the amount of waste feed entering the environment. Using the first volume production of hatchery juveniles in the UK, this project aims to collect baseline data on: solid waste effluent from cod cages; seabed deposition; and the effectiveness of computer controlled feeding to reduce waste. |
Waste production by farmed cod | N/A | 2001 | UK (FRS) | To review literature on cod feeding and to estimate waste produced by cod in cultivation. |
An experimental approach to determining the fate of mariculture waste in Western Australia | N/A | Apr-2000 | UK (IoA Stirling) | The project is a detailed investigation of the fate of nutrient waste from an experimental fish cage unit situated on the coast of western Australia. Changes in sediment composition, chemistry and infauna have been investigated, in relation to food inputs to two species of fish. Fate of soluble and particulate wastes has been studied using 15N techniques. In addition, the contribution of indigenous wild fish to removal of waste food and faeces has been investigated using exclusion experiments. |
Investigation of the environmental benefits of interactive feedback feeders | N/A | Sep-2000 | UK (IoA Stirling) | The study is comparing the environmental impacts on sediments at sites using interactive feeders with those using traditional feeding methods. Hydrographic measurement, sediment traps, benthic samples and modelling is being used for comparison. The data can also be used for validation of particulate distribution models. In addition there is implications for the more effective environmental management of "in feed" therapeutants from results obtained. |
Modelling the environmental impact of shellfish farming | N/A | 01-Jan-1996 | UK (Napier Univ.) | Development of a descriptive model of the interactions between mussel farms and the marine ecosystem. This will be used to predict the possible effects of other mussel farms on their surrounding environment. |
Practical guidance for the estimation and allocation of environmental capacity for aquaculture in tropical developing countries | TROPECA | Jan-2002 | UK (Nautilus) | Tropeca aims to address the role of environmental capacity in coastal aquaculture planning. Working with case studies in Bangladesh and Vietnam, the project will address the potential for using environmental capacity in a pre-emptive planning role to enable equitable and sustainable division between users of the assimilative resource. The project will review existing approaches to the estimation of environmental capacity and associated environmental management systems and explore their application to a range of tropical aquatic systems, likely to experience increased pressure from aquaculture development. Finally the project will develop and adapt these approaches to generate practical guidance for planners and aquatic sector professionals in tropical developing countries in order to increase the sustainability of aquaculture development. |
Sustainable Environmental Aquaculture Feeds | SEA Feeds | 2002 | UK (Nautilus) | The project will inform national and international development policy on sustainable feed choices by addressing obstacles to adoption of sustainable practices in small-scale tropical aquaculture. This will address the conflict between globally sustainable and locally viable practice. The project will evaluate the relative sustainability of global aquaculture feed options and contrast these conclusions with day to day feed choices of the small-scale operator. Highlighting any conflict between globally sustainable and locally acceptable feed choices will enable obstacles to adoption of sustainable feed practices to be overcome. Resulting action plans, best practice and policy guidelines will tackle practical, social and economic obstacles to sustainable livelihoods initiatives and propose locally appropriate solutions to global sustainability concerns. The project will work closely with producers and policy makers in Bangladesh, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and potentially China to tackle the need for sustainable small-scale food production in accordance with National Development Plan priorities. |
Algal Toxins, their Accumulation and Loss in commercially Important Shellfish, including larval Mortality and Appraisal of accelerated depuration | TALISMAN | Jun-2002 | UK (Northbay Shellfish Orkney) | To improve the understanding of the mechanism of Domoic Acid (the Amnesic Shellfish Poison) toxification and depuration in commercially valuable species such as the king scallop. |
Bio-filtration and Aquaculture: an Evaluation of Hard Substrate Deployment Performance within Mariculture Developments | BIOFAQs | 1-Dec-00 | UK (SAMS) | To quantify the validity (effectiveness) of biofilter use in association with mariculture within both economic and environmental frameworks on a pan-European scale. To optimise biofilter designs and placement protocols in line with geographical differences and validated model predictions. To examine the environmental and regulatory options governing post-biofilter usage and to provide detailed economic analyses of biofilter use compared with existing practices. |
Commercially Viable Sea Urchin Cultivation | N/A | Nov-1998 | UK (SAMS) | Developing systems for sea urchin aquaculture, investigating their growth rates, reproduction and nutritional needs, integrating the growth out phase with that of Atlantic salmon |
Physical and Biogeochemical pathways of metals around fish farms | N/A | Mar-1999 | UK (SAMS) | The project has been designed to determine the spatial distribution of sediment metals around a fish farm in a Scottish sea loch and to determine if there is any temporal variation in concentration. Craib cores were collected in a radial transect around an active fish farm in May and December 2000 and the metal concentration determined. Initial results support the idea that are certain metals that are in higher concentrations around the fish farm due to direct release from the farm, either as constituents of feed or antifoulant treatments. Other metals are found in either higher, or lower, than background sediment concentrations around the fish farm due to sediment geochemical conditions, as a result of organic matter enrichment from the farm. |
Response of pelagic microbial community to nutrient inputs | N/A | 1-Apr-2001 | UK (SAMS) | Laboratory, field and modelling studies into the effect of nutrient inputs on the structure and function of pelagic microbial communities. These include field studies on the effect of fish farm organic inputs on the diversity and activity of planktonic algae, bacteria and protozoa. |
The ecological effects of sea lice treatment agents | PAMP | 1-Sep-2000 | UK (SAMS) | The objectives of the PAMP study are to determine the effects of each of several sea lice treatment chemicals on the environment by examining pre- and post treatment macrofaunal, zooplankton, phytoplankton, meiofaunal, macroalgal and littoral assemblages; the settlement (littoral and pelagic), of sessile fauna and both micro and macro-floral settlement; and to determine the significant correlations between ecosystem responses, time, and therapeutant concentration to quantify the proportion of the observed environmental variance attributable to the treatments against a background of responses due to other parameters such as waste organic materials and nutrients. |
Tube worm fouling on rope grown mussels - its importance to the industry | N/A | Apr-2001 | UK (SAMS) | The timing and intensity of tubeworm ( Pomatoceros triqueter) settlement was measured at 2 sites on each of 2 mussel farms. Settlement showed a discrete peak, mussels which have been recently disturbed, large mussels and mussels at low density have more tubeworm. Growers should delay thinning and re-tubing until after peak tube worm settlement |
Nitrogen isotope studies | N/A | 2002 | UK (SCRI) | To investigate the usefulness of 15N measurements to define the geographical range over which the influence of N released from a fish farm can be detected. |
Cost-effective and environmentally friendly feed management strategies for Mediterranean cage aquaculture | N/A | 1-Nov-1998 | UK (Univ. of Glasgow) | The project investigated the implementation of modern feeding technology to sea bass and sea bream culture in the Mediterranean. This was achieved by; the adaptation of existing demand feeding systems and environmental models for use with farmed bass and bream, to provide base line information on natural variation in appetite in these species and, experimentally investigating the potential advantages of using such systems for production efficiency, environmental protection and welfare of farmed sea bass and sea bream.; The environmental protection and modelling aspect of this work was undertaken by the University of Stirling. Experimental investigations of feed and faecal characteristics were undertaken. Results, based on a customised environmental model and field validation, indicated that when using adaptive feeders significantly less particulate waste would be incorporated into sediments at distances greater than 20 m from cages. |
Assess Nutrient Sources, Fluxes, and Water Quality of the 'Aimakapa and Kaloko Hawaiian Fishponds, at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park | KAHO | Jan-2003 | USA (Univ. of Hawaii) | Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park (KAHO) contains unique water resources in the form of anchialine pools, fishponds, and coral reefs. These resources are significant habitat for many endemic and federally listed threatened or endangered Hawaiian species. Water quality in the Park is at risk from existing and planned light-industrial developments directly upslope from KAHO. The Park is currently working with USGS-WRD to examine organic contaminants in fish and sediments in Kaloko and `Aimakapa Fishponds. This project will supplement the USGS study by collecting baseline data on water and sediment-water quality, and in the first year will examine nutrient composition, concentrations, and fluxes within `Aimakapa Pond and to the adjoining coastal sediments and waters. In Year II, the study will be extended to Kaloko Pond and its adjoining coastal ecosystem. This project will provide a comprehensive and long-term ecosystem monitoring protocol for the Park's pond systems. KAHO staff will work cooperatively with Dr. Paul R. Haberstroh and undergraduate students from the Marine Science Department at the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH). UHH students will also examine components of the KAHO system as study topics for Senior Thesis Research and Directed Research projects. |