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MACAROMOD: A tool to model particulate waste dispersion and benthic impact from offshore sea-cage aquaculture in the Macaronesian region

Author

Listed:
  • Riera, Rodrigo
  • Pérez, Óscar
  • Cromey, Chris
  • Rodríguez, Myriam
  • Ramos, Eva
  • Álvarez, Omar
  • Domínguez, Julián
  • Monterroso, Óscar
  • Tuya, Fernando

Abstract

Uneaten feeding pellets and fish released faeces cause the most severe impact on the benthos beneath aquaculture offshore sea-cages. A modelling tool, ‘MACAROMOD', composed of particulate waste dispersion and benthic response, was developed to predict the environmental disturbances of offshore sea-bream (Sparus aurata), sea-bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and meagre (Argyrosomus regius) aquaculture in the Macaronesian region (oceanic archipelagos in the north-eastern Atlantic). MACAROMOD was tested at 8 sites (7 farms in the Canary Islands and 1 farm in Madeira), hence covering a high variability in oceanographic and environmental conditions. In general, a low percentage of lost pellets was found (3%), while a high rate of pellets were consumed by wild fishes (97%). Considering all studied sites, significant correlations were shown between observed and predicted solid fluxes (R2=0.89), and also between solid fluxes and the depositional footprint on the benthos, by taken advantage of observed and predicted values of the ecological status AMBI index (R2=0.6966). A flux threshold of 12kg solids m−2yr−1 was predicted as a boundary from which ecological degradation occurs for the study region. MACAROMOD is therefore a valid tool to improve planning and monitoring Macaronesian aquaculture.

Suggested Citation

  • Riera, Rodrigo & Pérez, Óscar & Cromey, Chris & Rodríguez, Myriam & Ramos, Eva & Álvarez, Omar & Domínguez, Julián & Monterroso, Óscar & Tuya, Fernando, 2017. "MACAROMOD: A tool to model particulate waste dispersion and benthic impact from offshore sea-cage aquaculture in the Macaronesian region," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 361(C), pages 122-134.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:361:y:2017:i:c:p:122-134
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2017.08.006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jusup, Marko & Klanjšček, Jasminka & Petricioli, Donat & Legović, Tarzan, 2009. "Predicting aquaculture-derived benthic organic enrichment: Model validation," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 220(19), pages 2407-2414.
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