Benthic microbial indicators of fish farm impact in a coastal area of the Tyrrhenian Sea

We studied the impact of organic loads due to the biodeposition of a fish farm in a non-impacted coastal area of the Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean). Sediment chemistry and benthic microbial community were investigated from July 1997 to February 1998 on monthly basis at two stations: one was located under the fish farm, while the second was about 1 km away, and served as a reference site. The presence of the cage induced rapid changes in the benthic conditions: the sediments were rapidly (after 6 weeks) reduced. A significant accumulation of biopolymeric carbon was observed beneath the cage both 2 weeks after the initial cage deployment, on non-impacted sediments, and 5–7 months after, and appeared to be related to the fish farm production cycle. The density of microbial communities beneath the fish farm increased only during the first month of farming activity (July) and partially 7 months after cage disposal (i.e. in January), when there was a significant sediment organic enrichment. Additional evidence of rapid impact of the fish farm on the benthic bacterial communities is provided by the increase in the numbers of autofluorescent microbial cells. The photosynthetic eukaryotic cells displayed a highly reduced contribution to total autofluorescent microbial density, indicating that their decrease is related with biopolymeric carbon accumulation, and probably was due also to “shadow effect” induced by suspended material, coming from the fish farm, on the environment below. We propose here, to apply the ratio of culturable heterotrophic bacteria to microbial direct counts (CFU/MDC) to detect fish farm impact. In cage sediments, organic enrichment and the consequent modification of the characteristics of the benthic environment, determined an increase in aerobic heterotrophic bacteria and vibrio density indicating that they are efficient colonizers of organic-rich sediments. Densities of Escherichia coli and Enterococci were not significantly higher than in the reference site, and are likely of terrestrial origin. Thus they cannot be used as specific indicators of fish farm impact.     

Predicting the effect of cages on nutrient status of Scottish freshwater lochs using mass-balance models

Cage farming of salmonids in floating cage systems has become widespread in the Scottish Highlands over the past 15 years. Determination of wastewater discharges and composition from such facilities, unlike land-based ones, has had to rely exclusively upon results of published studies of waste outputs. To limit impacts of such activities, regulatory authorities have used such data together with lake nutrient mass-balance models to assess likely increase in phosphorus (P) due to both organic and inorganic loading of cage farm losses. Results of biannual surveys between 1988 and 1991 of P levels in six lochs used for cage farming in Scotland, together with estimates of nutrient input on the basis of feeding and fish biomass data, are presented. Results demonstrate that in small basins, where cage farms are the only substantial source of P. model predictions of rises in P level reflect actual changes in water quality. However, in larger, more complex basins, where cage farms represent one of a number of sources of P, and the mass of P present in the nutrient cycle is far greater, use of such models is found to be inappropriate to assess the impact of such operations. Clear effects on loch nutrient levels are observed in the immediate vicinity of the cages. It is concluded that whilst such mass-balance models may estimate total contributions from cage farms accurately, use of such models to determine annual nutrient dynamics of complex sites requires more robust sampling programmes than have at present been implemented.     

The fate of organic matter derived from small-scale fish cage aquaculture in coastal waters of Sulawesi and Sumatra, Indonesia

To determine the fate of organic matter derived from fish cage aquaculture, carbon and nutrient cycling processes in waters and sediments, and water circulation, were examined at two fish cage farms of different size and utilizing different food types, on Sulawesi and Sumatra islands, Indonesia. Mass balance models of C, N and P were constructed to assess the pathways of waste utilization and dispersal. At the smaller farm in Sulawesi (64.5 m² cage area; 3 t annual net production) using pelleted food, there was proportionally less waste (≈ 40% of total C input) than at the larger Sumatran farm (2432 m² cage area; 9 t annual net production) using trash fish (≈ 70% of total C input) as food. At the small farm, the mass balance and hydrographic models indicated a maximum dispersal area of 1180 m², equivalent to 18 times the farm area. Within this area, 30% of total organic matter input (farm waste + fixed phytoplankton carbon) was buried in sediments with 30% mineralized in the water-column and 40% mineralized in the seabed. At the larger Sumatran farm, the models indicated a maximum dispersal area of 29  220 m², roughly 12 times the farm area. Within this area, 30% of total organic matter input (farm waste + natural pelagic input) was buried in sediments with 50% mineralized in the water-column and 20% mineralized on the seabed. There was some evidence of benthic enrichment at both farms, mostly as enhanced dissolved nutrient release, but sulfate reduction accounted for < 25% of total C flux, and denitrification/ammonium oxidation accounted for only 4–17% of N lost from sediments. There was no clear evidence of impact with distance from the cages at either farm. Phytoplankton gross primary production accounted for 60–77% of the total organic input to the receiving environment, suggesting that the relative importance of fish cage wastes must be assessed against natural inputs of organic matter.     

Use of macrobenthic infaunal communities in the monitoring and control of the impact of marine cage fish farming

Benthic macrofaunal community changes are used extensively to monitor the impact of polluting discharges to the marine environment. Regulatory and pollution control authorities have recognized the particular value of the well studied and reported responses of infaunal communities to organic pollution including wastes from aquaculture. Benthic systems are embraced in both the consent (licence) to discharge and monitoring procedures for marine cage fish farms in the Clyde River Purification Board's (CRPB) area. The relevant protocols of the CRPB are described and data are presented from impact studies throughout west central Scotland, focussing on the sedimentary environment (macrobenthos, organic carbon and redox: Eh). Macrobenthic infaunal responses, though not fully understood, were considered to provide the best measure to date of determining the impacts of organic wastes from cage fish farming and a possible way forward in developing benthic Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs) for aquaculture. Some patterns in physico-chemical data were identified, but frequently, the relationship both with benthic infaunal data and each other were inconsistent. Grossly impacted faunal communities varied little between sites and could readily be described by the simple community determinands of abundance (A), species richness (S) and Shannon Weiner diversity index (H). Moderate to lightly impacted zones were less easily defined but detailed faunal studies have allowed the selection of some widely distributed marker species. However, site-specific observations emphasized the site individuality and difficulties of setting EQSs across the industry. Using the principles of enhanced species populations and by identifying marker species, measurable impacts were found to extend further than previously reported. In naturally enriched systems, like the Firth of Clyde and some sea lochs, difficulty in separating slight effects from background was experienced. Continued monitoring and impact assessment, as well as building a better biological data base, may help develop appropriate benthic EQSs relating to aquaculture.     

Solid waste production from rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, cage culture

Abstract. There is increasing concern over the environmental impact of freshwater cage culture, but there is a lack of information on the amounts and nature of the wastes produced. This study presents measurements of the total solid waste arid solid carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus loadings from five Scottish rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, cage farms, and shows a significant input of solids below the cages. The results indicate a considerable variability in solid output which was partly due to variations in the feeding rate of fish with the cages, but was also thought to be due to variations in management on individual farms. The results compare well with other studies on land-based pond and tank systems and provide useful estimates of solid waste loadings for the prediction of environmental impact.     

Assessment of infectious salmon anaemia virus prevalence for different groups of farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in New Brunswick

Abstract Infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) virus (ISAV) has been causing disease in New Brunswick since 1996. As a control measure, all fish in an outbreak cage are killed. The objective of this study was to compare ISAV prevalence in cages experiencing an outbreak with healthy cages from the same farm, neighbouring farms and distant farms. Atlantic salmon from five different groups were tested using an RT-PCR test. Groups included moribund fish from a cage experiencing an outbreak (A), healthy fish from an outbreak cage (B), healthy fish from a negative cage from a farm experiencing an outbreak in a different cage (C), healthy fish from a negative farm near an outbreak farm (D), and healthy fish sampled at a negative farm located in an area with only negative farms (E). Apparent prevalences (standard error) for the different groups (A-E) were 0.94 (+/-0.026), 0.41 (+/-0.062), 0.29 (+/-0.040), 0.08 (+/-0.037) and 0.08 (+/-0.037), respectively. All groups were significantly different (P < 0.002) from each other except for groups B and C and groups D and E. Because the prevalence of the virus was significantly higher in the outbreak cage (B) compared with other sites, early harvest of outbreak cages will remove one source of virus. However, ISA negative cages (C) that remain on the positive farm may potentially act as a viral reservoir.     

Spatial and temporal variations of sediment quality in and around fish cage farms: A case study of aquaculture in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan

ABSTRACT: Fish cage farming generates large amounts of organic waste in the form of unconsumed feed and fecal matter, resulting in sediment deterioration and a threat to its own sustainability. Field studies analysed the scale of the impact of fish cage farming on sediment quality, variability of impact and spread of sediment enrichment in the vicinity of a fish farm. Two fish culture sites near the Fukuyama area of the Seto Inland Sea of Japan were chosen for the study. There was a significant difference between the quality of the sediment in aquaculture and non-aquaculture areas. The sediment underlying the fish cage farms was found to be extremely reducing, acidic and sulfidic. Sediment ignition loss did not vary markedly with the season. However, the redox potential and acid volatile sulfide content of aquaculture areas did show some seasonal variation. Sediment encircling a 165 m radius from the center of a farm in Yokota was judged as organically enriched by fish farming. A variation in sediment quality within the two sites and also within the stations was observed. Based on sediment quality, the stations could be categorized as less affected, highly affected or moderately affected.     

Technology for cultivation of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.: problems and possibilities

Abstract. The concept of farming Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., beyond smolt stage in sea water started in Norway and Scotland in 1967–1968, using natural enclosures or sea water ponds. Cage culture has since 1969 developed to be the dominating method. Atlantic salmon is cultivated in more than nine countries with a production of 235400t in 1990. Incubation of eggs, hatching, first feeding and smolt production have to a large degree been standardized. Various types of incubator systems and holding units are briefly presented and discussed. There has recently been a trend to move ongrowing cage farms from inshore and sheltered waters to more open and offshore locations. The various types of cages and supplemental equipment for the two options are compared and evaluated. The offshore trend is a more expensive and difficult technology than existing inshore farming methods. Sea enclosures and net enclosures are less attractive. There is new interest in pump ashore systems. Large land-based farms have been built in six countries with varying success. The amounts of water required are enormous and constructions costs are high, but running costs are comparable to cage culture. Great improvements have taken place for both smolt farms and pump ashore farms in treatment of water, use of heat exchangers, filtration of water, disinfection, aeration, oxygenation, photoperiod and light control, automatic feeding, internal transport, handling of fish and surveillance and control systems for fish and water. The problems and prospects of farming are discussed in relation to new and old technology.     

Assessment of the removal efficiency of fish farm effluents by grey mullets: a nutritional approach

A field study was carried out to assess the use of the bottom‐feeding grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) within benthic enclosures as a means to reduce the benthic impacts of a net cage fish farm in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. Five experimental 1‐m³ net‐cage enclosures were stocked with 12 grey mullets each (fish weights 50, 70 or 144 g). The enclosures had no bottom and the mullets had access to the enclosed organically enriched sediments and to particulate matter (PM) falling from the overlying cages. Sediment traps were used to quantify and qualify the PM falling from the fish farm to the sea floor. Simultaneously, a feeding trial was performed with mullets (50 and 70 g) in experimental tanks. In order to estimate the potential growth rate and to quantify energy and protein requirements, the fish were fed a formulated diet with known composition. After approximately 70 days at sea, mullets in the enclosures had used up all the available food in the sediment and gained up to 0.78 g day^?1 fish^?1. Applying the values for energy and protein requirements for maintenance and growth derived from the experimental trial, estimates indicated that the grey mullets effectively removed 4.2 g organic carbon, 0.70 g nitrogen and 7.5 mg phosphorus kg^?1 mullet m^?2 day^?1 from the organically enriched sediment. Thus deployment of grey mullets may be an efficient means to improve the quality of sediments below intensive net‐cage fish farms.     

Hydrodynamic method for estimating production carrying capacity of coastal finfish cage aquaculture in Southeast Asia

This paper presents the development of a simple and generally applicable hydrodynamic method for the estimation of production carrying capacity (PCC) of coastal finfish cage aquaculture. Dimensional analysis was used to find significant and general interdependencies between the hydrodynamics at fish farm locations and particulate wastes deposited on the seafloor by fish farms. Modeled ratios of deposition to emission of particulate wastes underneath fish farms were found to be primarily a function of the flow Reynolds numbers at the farming locations and the non-dimensional settling velocity of emitted wastes. In the non-dimensional model, farming conditions include daily feed rate, proportion of unconsumed feed, and carbon content in feed and fish feces. The relationship can be used to estimate the PCC of floating net cages imposing a threshold value for deposition. Results of in-situ assessments of the benthic impacts of several fish farms in an aquaculture site in the northwest of Bali, Indonesia were used to validate and demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. Predicted results were able to clearly identify fish farms operating beyond ecologically sustainable carrying capacity. The proposed method has broad applicability and could help make decisions regarding the estimation of production potential of individual farms in pristine areas, for providing first estimates in sites that have scarce data, and for assessment, expansion, and optimization of the currently operating aquaculture sites in Southeast Asia, China and potentially other data-poor island nations. As the method relies on dynamic models, it enables straightforward assessments over the entire aquaculture region.     

Benthic dynamics within a land-based semi-intensive aquaculture fish farm: the importance of settlement ponds

The present work aims to assess the importance of settlement ponds (SP) in semi-intensive fish farms by studying benthic dynamics in an aquaculture fish farm, more specifically in the water reservoir (WR) and SP and also in production (P) and nonproduction (C) ponds during a 16-month period. In Portugal, a SP is only mandatory for intensive fish farms, and another objective of the present study is to assess the importance of these areas in semi-intensive fish farms. The WR was the area with highest diversity and evenness, as well as the higher number of exclusive taxa and taxa sensitive to organic enrichment. P and SP samples showed signs of higher disturbance levels, emphasized namely by the association of the opportunistic annelids Capitella spp. and Tubificidae. However, the benthic data from SP points to lower disturbance levels than P both due to an increase in the percentage of sensitive taxa observed in June and October 2004 and by the association of this latter sample with water reservoir samples as evidenced by canonical correspondence analysis. Moreover, a higher and increasing number of taxa when compared with the P area were also observed. Therefore, in semi-intensive fish farms, where effluents from P ponds are directly discharged to the lagoon, the potential environmental impacts would be more severe. In conclusion, the imposition of SP in semi-intensive fish farms should be considered, especially because most fish farms are located within relevant wetland areas.     

Diet of demersal fish species in relation to aquaculture development in Scottish sea lochs

The diets of demersal fish, principally haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), whiting (Merlangius merlangus) and several flatfish species, sampled from four Scottish sea lochs (Hourn, Kishorn, Duich and Nevis) which support aquaculture sites, were examined in order to determine whether the impact of aquaculture on benthic biodiversity would affect the diets of demersal fish. Loch Kishorn had the highest maximum planned aquaculture production, loch Nevis follows and lochs Hourn and Duich have the lowest planned production. Samples were collected from locations less than and more than 2000 m from fish farm cages. Fish close to the fish farm cages were on average of greater individual weight than those further away from fish farms. Haddock ate predominantly Malacostracan crustacea, Ophiurid echinoderms and Polychaete annelids; whiting ate predominantly Malacostracan crustacea and teleost fish and flatfish ate Malacostracan crustacea, Polychaete annelids and Ophiurid echinoderms. A small number of saithe sampled had eaten mainly fish farm pellets. Dietary variation in each species was analysed in relation to loch, proximity to aquaculture facilities and fish size. Diet of whiting varied with body size. Dietary differences were observed between the lochs and between sites close to and far from farms in two lochs although these differences cannot be specifically attributed to aquaculture development. Controlling for differences between individual lochs, proximity to aquaculture facilities did not consistently affect diet composition.     

Analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes as a tool for assessing the environmental impact of aquaculture: a case study from the western Mediterranean

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios ( ¹³C/ ¹² C and ¹⁵N/¹⁴ N) of in situ dominant primary producers and consumers were investigated to assess the impact on a natural ecosystem of a land-based fish farm along the south-western coast of Sicily (Italy). The putatively impacted area close to the farm along outfall was compared with other locations at increasing distances from the outfall. Carbon and mainly nitrogen stable isotopes revealed evidence of widespread aquaculture waste in the study site: benthic organisms collected in the impacted area showed more enriched ¹⁵N signatures than those at greater distances from the outfall, suggesting a large contribution of aquaculture waste to the food web. By contrast, both nekton-benthic and pelagic organisms seemed to be less influenced by discharge, probably due to their mobile habit.     

Influence of improved feed quality and food conversion ratios on phosphorus loadings from cage culture of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus rnykiss (Walbaum), in freshwater lakes

The expansion of freshwater cage culture in Scotland during the 1980s led to concern with respect to the impact of nutrient, particularly phosphorus (P), discharges on water quality in lakes. The primary route by which P enters the aquatic environment from cage farms is through the feed administered to the fish. In recent years, there have been considerable technological advances in feed manufacturing and improved feeding practices at farm level. This paper investigates how P inputs to freshwater lakes from cage farms may be reduced through changes in diets and improved food conversion ratios. The results demonstrate that there has been a significant improvement in the P content of freshwater trout diets in recent years and that it is possible to reduce waste P loadings from cage sites through the use of better-quality diets and improved feed management. In Scotland, production levels in freshwater cages are commonly set by the regulatory authority assuming a soluble waste P loading of 10 kg P tonne^?1 of fish produced. This study suggests that actual soluble waste P loadings are likely to be far lower than this and that, as a result, increases in water column total P levels may be overestimated.     

Heavy metal concentrations and sediment quality of a cage farm on Lake Volta,Ghana

This study involved the determination of sediment quality and heavy metals in the water column and bottom sediment of a selected cage fish farm in Lake Volta, to assess the potential impact of metals and organic matter pollution on the lake due to cage fish farming. Sediment analysis indicated that the texture of all sampling sites was sandy clay loam with sand dominating with a range of 31.5%–81.2%. The organic matter (TOM) ranged from 4.42%–8.89%, while organic carbon (TOC) was from 2.57%–5.22%. Total nitrogen (TN) fluctuated between 0.22% and 0.45%; total phosphate ranged between 0.22% and 5.30%. The TOC, TOM and TN content in the farm sediment were significantly lower than those of the reference sites (ANOVA, p < .05). Lead, copper, cadmium and selenium were not detected in the water. The results revealed that heavy metal concentrations in the water column and sediments were low and within tolerable levels, indicating no influence of metals from fish feed was observed on the lake water quality. However, the farm seemed to have moderate impact on sediment quality from organic matter. Water and sediment quality monitoring should be embarked upon periodically to ensure sustainable cage culture in the Lake Volta.     

Regulatory costs on U.S. salmonid farms

The economic effects of the implementation of regulations on aquaculture farms in the United States, while of concern, are not well understood. A national survey was conducted of salmonid (trout and salmon) farms in 17 states of the United States to measure on‐farm regulatory costs and to identify which regulations were the most costly to this industry segment. The response rate was 63%, with a coverage rate of 94.5% of the U.S. production of salmonids. The regulatory system resulted in increased national on‐farm costs of $16.1 million/year, lost markets with a sales value of $7.1 million/year, lost production of $5.3 million/year, and thwarted expansion attempts estimated at $40.1 million/year. Mean farm regulatory costs were $150,506/farm annually, or $2.71/kg; lost markets with annual sales values of $66,274/farm; annual lost production of $49,064/farm; and an annual value of thwarted expansion attempts estimated at $375,459/farm. Smaller‐scale farms were affected to a disproportionately greater negative extent than larger‐scale farms. Per‐farm regulatory costs were, on average, greater for foodfish producers than for producers selling to recreational markets, but per‐kg regulatory costs were greater for those selling to recreational compared to foodfish markets. Regulatory costs constituted 12% of total production and marketing costs on U.S. salmonid farms. The greatest regulatory costs were found to be effluent discharge regulations. The majority of regulatory costs were fixed costs, but regulatory barriers to expansion precluded compensatory adjustments to the business in spite of growing demand for salmonid products. Results of this study show that the on‐farm regulatory cost burden is substantial and has negatively affected the U.S. salmonid industry's ability to respond to strong demand for U.S. farm‐raised salmonid products. Results also suggest that the regulatory system has contributed to the decline in the number of U.S. salmonid farms. While regulations will necessarily have some degree of cost to farms, the magnitude of the on‐farm regulatory cost burden on U.S. salmonid farms calls for concerted efforts to identify and implement innovative regulatory monitoring and compliance frameworks that reduce the on‐farm regulatory cost burden.     

Modelling the biomass yield and the impact of seabream mariculture in the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas (Italy)

An individual-based model for Sparus aurata was developed, taking into account the effects on the growth rate of water temperature, food availability and diet composition. The model was identified on the basis of the recent literature regarding the physiological ecology of this species. It was subsequently calibrated and validated by using original field data collected at two Italian fish farms located, respectively, in the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas. The mass budget of uneaten food and faeces was computed using the model at each farm: the optimal ingestion rate of a fish was computed based on its wet weight and the temperature of the water, while the faeces estimation considered the different digestibility of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins in the diet. From an applied perspective, the future use of this growth model in relation to mariculture site selection and monitoring might typically be to estimate both the yield and the amount of uneaten food and faeces discharged from a fish cage. This second output represents a useful input for deposition models which are routinely used in the field of mariculture monitoring by different EU countries. The integration of growth and deposition models in a single system could provide a useful tool for the site-selection and monitoring of finfish mariculture operations in Mediterranean environments.     

象山港三种不同养殖方式对浮游动物群落的影响

为探究不同营养类型养殖方式对半封闭海湾浮游生态系统的影响,于2015年在象山港的鱼类网箱养殖、牡蛎筏式养殖和海带筏式养殖3种养殖区内外分别进行大、中型和中、小型浮游动物群落及相关环境因子的四季研究。结果显示,牡蛎养殖区内大、中型浮游动物群落结构变化明显,夏、秋季优势种太平洋纺锤水蚤的优势度下降,冬季优势种腹针胸刺水蚤的优势度上升;网箱养殖区内浮游动物群落变化不明显,变化主要为大、中型浮游动物优势种,春、冬季腹针胸刺水蚤的优势度下降,秋季优势种种类组成变化明显;海带养殖区内浮游动物群落和优势种变化均不明显。此外,3种养殖方式对浮游动物的生物量、丰度和α多样性均未产生明显影响。结合象山港的水文特征和养殖区内外的环境因子,研究表明,牡蛎养殖区浮游动物群落变化是牡蛎滤食行为和铁港水交换能力差的综合结果,而浮游动物优势种变化可能与水体总磷含量较高有关;因目前网箱养殖规模小且西沪港水动力条件较好,网箱区内局部环境和浮游动物的变化较小;海带养殖因面积小且仅春、冬季养殖,不足以对水质和浮游动物产生影响。此外,本研究显示不同环境中,大、中型浮游动物群落结构的变异较中、小型浮游动物明显,这可能与中、小型浮游动物群落的稳定性较高有关。     

Does marine fish farming affect local small‐scale fishery catches? A case study in the NW Mediterranean Sea

Fish farms have been shown to aggregate large numbers of wild fish in their surroundings. Although little is known about how this affects the local fishery, two hypotheses have been put forward; a trapping and a protecting effect on wild fish. This study provides the first monitoring of commercial and recreational fishing activity at a fish farm. We assessed the effect on the small‐scale fishery analysing the differences between fishing in farm proximity and away from the farm (in terms of catch rate, income and catch composition). Moreover, we estimated the biomass removal from fishing activities by farm employees inside the farm. The study was conducted from January 2011 to June 2012 at a Gilthead seabream farm in the NW Mediterranean. The findings revealed a relevant amount of commercial and recreational fishing effort in farm proximity. Yet, the results showed no benefit or difference of fishing in close proximity to the farm compared with areas away from the farm. Thus, we conclude that farm‐aggregated fish are protected from the commercial fleet by the farm leasehold area, but remain vulnerable to hidden fishing practices inside the farm, where farm employees harvest more than 4 t of wild fish annually.