Ecological risk analysis in marine fish farming: a case study of a seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) farm located in Moroccan Mediterranean coast

Abstract

The present study aimed at studying ecological interaction between a fish farm cages located in M’diq bay, in western Moroccan Mediterranean coast, and its local environment. It was carried out in 2013 and 2016 through seabed analysis in terms of organic matter and some nutrients parameters such as Nitrogen and Phosphorus, as well as through monitoring macro-fauna assemblages. The results showed recorded values relatively stable in three years’ interval and have a well-integrated fish farming activity within its ecosystem. Sediment was sandy to sandy shelly types and macro-benthic fauna were composed of six groups, Gastropods, Bivalves, Scaphopoda, Amphipods, Nematoda and Polychaeta. Organic matter and Total Organic Carbon were respectively less than 3.2% and 1.87% and very low comparing with others Mediterranean fish farms sites. Estimation of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Carbon potential releases of M’diq fish farm gave low data related to its production capacity not exceeding 200 tons by year. Influenced with open sea location and high current state, dispersion pattern of these fish farm discharges seemed to play a key role in keeping lower values. ANOVA analysis showed no significant difference between studied parameters in the five sampling stations comparing with the reference station both on geographical and temporal levels (seasons and years).

Primary and Secondary Physiological Stress Responses of European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Due to Rearing Practices under Aquaculture Farming Conditions in M’diq Bay, Moroccan Mediterranean: The Case of Sampling Operation for Size and Weight Measurement

“…The fish were caught randomly on the day of sampling operation from two different floating circular cages at the Aqua M’diq fish farm, located in the M’diq Bay on the Moroccan Mediterranean coast ( Figure 1 ). The characteristics of the farm site have been accurately described by recent studies [ 18 , 19 ].…”

Physiological stress responses of European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax related to changing operations of floating net cages in intensive farming conditions at the Moroccan M'diq Bay

“…Aqua M'diq fish farm is located in the Moroccan Mediterranean east of the M'diq Bay (35° 41′ 16.3″ N, 5° 19′ 23.1″ W, between Sebta Cap in the north and Negro Cap in the south). The ecological limits, for the survival of D. labrax fish throughout the year in this farming environment, are characterized by a salinity of the order of 36.2 ± 1‰, temperature varies from 15 to 21°C, the concentration of dissolved oxygen varies from 7 to 8 mg/L, and the pH is 8, and the concentration of varies from 0.002 and 0.05 mg/L (Cheyadmi et al, 2023; Nhhala et al, 2022).…”

“…Indeed, the industrial aquaculture of this species in Morocco is at the embryonic stage; only three operational marine fish farms, specialized only in the pre‐grow out and grow out of this fish, have been established in the Mediterranean (M'diq Bay and Nador Lagoon) and Atlantic (Dakhla Bay) facades. However, Moroccan aquaculturists aim to ensure the sustainability of this sector by the managing environmental issues and the maintaining fish welfare (Bahida et al, 2022; Cheyadmi et al, 2023; Nhhala et al, 2022).…”