Marine aquaculture is the most promising industry for ensuring future provision of seafood. Yet, the worldwide growth and expansion of this industry have been slower than expected, calling for the identification of environmentally suitable sites while accounting for all factors that could constrain or benefit its establishment. Here, we determine the main obstacles and risks hindering the growth and expansion of marine aquaculture, as well as the needs and recommendations to overcome such constraints. Our analysis is based on results obtained from a consultation process held in 16 study sites located around the world with the participation of 614 stakeholders representing the research community, aquaculture industry, government, conservation groups, and education and fishermen associations. A high level of commonality exists in the main issues hindering aquaculture growth and expansion in coastal, off‐the‐coast and offshore aquaculture with most being attributed to interactions with other maritime activities, including conflicts with other users and administrative procedures, including licensing. Critical needs for improved management and expansion of the aquaculture industry are related to planning and management of developments and technological advances, with economic and market needs featuring to a lesser extent. Key procedures recommended to assist further aquaculture growth are the standardisation and simplification of regulatory frameworks, improvement of governance, and the adoption of participatory processes to facilitate meaningful and productive stakeholder engagement. We strongly recommend stakeholder participation to enhance insights on the full environmental and human dimensions of marine management and for implementation of ecosystem‐based marine spatial planning.
An integrated approach is described for modelling interactions between off-shore fish cages and biogeochemical fluxes of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Two individual-based population dynamic models for European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax and gilthead seabream Sparus aurata were coupled with a Lagrangian deposition and a benthic degradation model. The individual models explicitly take into account the effects of water temperature and feed availability on fish growth. The integrated model was tested at a Mediterranean fish farm where a comprehensive set of in situ environmental and husbandry data was available. Tests were performed to compare the predicted and observed total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations in surface sediment under and near fish cages. At a local scale, the model output simulated the spatial distribution of 4 biogeochemical indicators, namely: TOC concentrations, C fluxes towards the seabed and C:N and C:P ratios. These allowed the most impacted areas and more extended areas of intermediate organic enrichment to be identified. The model was also used for estimating the mass balance of C, N and P, in order to determine the potential cumulative effects of multiple fish farms in the same area. The C, N and P fluxes among feed, fish and environment were calculated for each fish species over 24 mo of farm activity. The results showed that the amount of dissolved N directly released into the water column in inorganic form (ammonia/urea) was comparable to that deposited on the seafloor in particulate form as uneaten feed and faeces. A larger fraction of P (about 65%) was released as faeces. Results from the integrated model yielded useful information for assessing the sustainability of an area for aquaculture activities that could be used to provide a scientific rationale for fish farm development in new areas.
This work focuses on the selection of new areas for shellfish farming along the coast of the Northern Adriatic Sea (Italy). Shellfish site suitability was assessed by means of a methodology based on Spatial Multi-Criteria Evaluation (SMCE), which provided the framework to combine mathematical models and operational oceanography products. Intermediate level criteria considered in the analysis included optimal growth conditions, environmental interactions, and socio-economic evaluation (e.g. organic carbon deposition; distance to harbour). Results showed that the whole coastal area comprised within 0 and 3 nm is highly suitable for farming of mussel, while the area comprised between 3 and 12 nm is divided between a highly suitable northern part, and a less suitable southern one. Seven different scenarios of development of shellfish aquaculture industry were explored. The introduction of a new species, and the assessment of the exposure to storm events are specific aspects taken into account in development scenarios. Results show that the degree of suitability for shellfish aquaculture in this area would not change dramatically with the introduction of oyster farming. Furthermore, results highlight that: (i) the growth potential in this area is high; (ii) the space with suitability index >0.5 increases when prioritizing the optimal growth condition criteria, and (iii) the socio-economic is the most restrictive Intermediate Level Criteria. Results were discussed by deriving general lessons concerning the use of SMCE in aquaculture space allocation, from the specific application in the Northern Adriatic Sea. Challenges and opportunities related to the proposed methodological framework, with particular reference to the use of resources provided by remote sensing and operational oceanography by means of mathematical models, were also discussed. Results can support a science-based identification of allocated zones for aquaculture in order to avoid conflicts, and promote sustainable aquaculture in the Mediterranean Sea, where the space for these activities is becoming increasingly limited.
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