An ecosystem-based approach and management framework for the integrated evaluation of bivalve aquaculture impacts

Abstract

An ecosystem-based approach to bivalve aquaculture management is a strategy for the integration of aquaculture within the wider ecosystem, including human aspects, in such a way that it promotes sustainable development, equity, and resilience of ecosystems. Given the linkage between social and ecological systems, marine regulators require an ecosystem-based decision framework that structures and integrates the relationships between these systems and facilitates communication of aquaculture-environment interactions and policy-related developments and decisions. The Drivers-Pressures-State Change-Impact-Response (DPSIR) management framework incorporates the connectivity between human and ecological issues and would permit available performance indicators to be identified and organized in a manner that facilitates different regulatory needs. Suitable performance indicators and modeling approaches, which are used to assess DPSIR framework components, are reviewed with a focus on the key environmental issues associated with bivalve farming. Indicator selection criteria are provided to facilitate constraining the number of indicators within the management framework. It is recommended that an ecosystem-based approach for bivalve aquaculture be based on a tiered indicator monitoring system that is structured on the principle that increased environmental risk requires increased monitoring effort. More than 1 threshold for each indicator would permit implementation of predetermined impact prevention and mitigation measures prior to reaching an unacceptable ecological state. We provide an example of a tiered monitoring program that would communicate knowledge to decision-makers on ecosystem State Change and Impact components of the DPSIR framework.KEY WORDS: Bivalve aquaculture management · Ecosystem-based approach · DPSIR framework · Indicators · Thresholds · Benthic effects · Pelagic effects · Social-ecological systems Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher

Infectious diseases in oyster aquaculture require a new integrated approach

“…This 'ecological carrying capacity' is defined as the level of culture that can be supported without leading to significant changes to ecological processes, species, populations or communities in the farm environment. Although it is not explicitly stated, disease risk is considered to be a factor influencing the ecological carrying capacity of a marine ecosystem [114,116]. However, ecological carrying capacity is typically calculated using ecosystem modelling techniques [115,117] in which disease epidemiology is not taken into account.…”

The feasibility of offshore aquaculture and its potential for multi-use in the North Sea

“…Ecosystem-based aquaculture management requires many specific components and tools for assessing the carrying capacity (Cranford et al 2012). A bottleneck to the establishment of an operational framework is often the need to define 'unacceptable' impacts among stakeholders (Cranford et al 2012).…”

“…Ecosystem-based aquaculture management requires many specific components and tools for assessing the carrying capacity (Cranford et al 2012). A bottleneck to the establishment of an operational framework is often the need to define 'unacceptable' impacts among stakeholders (Cranford et al 2012). Suitable performance indicators, modelling approaches and indicator selection criteria must be adapted for offshore areas to facilitate policy-makers (and business) to set environmental standards and identify best practices and technologies for aquaculture development.…”

Distribution and seasonal variation of picoplankton in Sanggou Bay, China

“…In Sanggou Bay, phosphorus (P) was found to be deficient, whereas DIN was sufficient (Sun et al 2007). Bivalve culture can release P into the environment (Carlsson et al 2012, Cranford et al 2012, and the release of P by bivalves may have induced the high abundance of picoplankton in the Sanggou Bay B-area. Indeed, a 7 d in situ enclosure experiment in Sanggou Bay demonstrated that scallop cultivation increased the PO 4 3− concentration, as well as the abundance of picoplankton, total nanoflagellates and ciliates (Lu et al 2015a,b).…”