Assessment of carrying capacity for bivalve mariculture in subtropical and tropical regions: the need for tailored management tools and guidelines

Abstract

In a context of increasing global food demand, the aquaculture sector, and more particularly bivalve mariculture, has expanded significantly. While the impact of bivalve mariculture was initially overlooked, it is now widely recognized that this industry can significantly impact the ecosystem and its services. Carrying capacity assessment tools have been developed accordingly and have proved to be a useful and efficient aid for mariculture management. However, carrying capacity assessment tools have been mostly designed and implemented in developed temperate countries, while bivalve mariculture is mainly expanding today in tropical and subtropical zones. To what extent the existing carrying capacity assessment tools are suited for use in tropical and subtropical regions has received little attention, and thus constitutes a major issue. The present review aims to fill this gap and highlights the key points to consider for the carrying capacity assessment of bivalve mariculture in tropical and subtropical regions. In line with the requirements for the sustainable development of human activities, and increasing recognition of the need for better integration of social aspects in the management processes, carrying capacity assessment should be undertaken in a more holistic way. Thus, the social, economic and environmental aspects are taken into account in our analysis. A step‐process plan for the sustainable management of bivalve mariculture in tropical and subtropical countries, through the assessment of carrying capacity, is proposed and discussed to offer guidance for managers.

Social Acceptance of Aquaculture in Andalusian Atlantic Coast (Spain): An Emerging Economy Sector

“…Our study is justified on the basis of the scarce research works on Spanish aquaculture activities that can be found in the literature, despite being the leading producer in the European Union. Most works on this topic are still at a development stage, and, consequently, further studies are still required [21] to realise the necessary development of this industry.…”

“…Undoubtedly, in coming years, as further lines of research are covered, we will apply more complex and advanced techniques that will enrich these conclusions, even by combining them with experiments in social laboratories. According to the index obtained, these kinds of indicators have always a risk of excessive simplification [21]. We can develop them more deeply in the future.…”

“…In this context, we could define the point of saturation of the sector as the level at which it exceeds such limits, and starts to be considered as a major concern from a social point of view [20]. This objective, which represents the main reason for our work, is still at a developing stage and, therefore, further progress is still required [21].…”

Hydrodynamic effects of large-scale suspended mussel farms: Field observations and numerical simulations

“…The suspended canopy layer inhibits the surface layer water flow, therefore, change the circulation pattern inside and around the farm (Konstantinou et al, 2015;Lin et al, 2016;Konstantinou and Kombiadou, 2020;Liu and Huguenard, 2020). The flow responses to the presence of farm in turn affect the mussel food availability through increased water residence time and nutrient depletion, therefore, the carrying capacity of ecosystem (Byron et al, 2011a;Byron et al, 2011b;Anaïs et al, 2020;Gao et al, 2020). Quantifications of effect of suspended farms on circulation is critical in evaluating carrying capacity, ecosystem sustainable and effective management of the aquaculture activities (Filgueira et al, 2015;Froján et al, 2018;Konstantinou and Kombiadou, 2020).…”