MACAROMOD: a tool to model particulate waste dispersion and benthic impact from offshore sea-cage aquaculture in the Macaronesian region
Riera, R.; Pérez, O.; Cromey, C.; Rodríguez, M.; Ramos, E.; Álvarez, O.; Domínguez, J.; Monterroso, Ó.; Tuya, F. (2017). MACAROMOD: a tool to model particulate waste dispersion and benthic impact from offshore sea-cage aquaculture in the Macaronesian region. Ecol. Model. 361: 122-134. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2017.08.006
In: Ecological Modelling. Elsevier: Amsterdam; Lausanne; New York; Oxford; Shannon; Tokyo. ISSN 0304-3800; e-ISSN 1872-7026, more
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| Keyword |
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| Author keywords |
Sea-cage aquaculture; Dispersion model; Benthic impact; Macaronesian region; Atlantic ocean |
| Authors | | Top |
- Riera, R.
- Pérez, O.
- Cromey, C.
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- Rodríguez, M.
- Ramos, E.
- Álvarez, O.
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- Domínguez, J.
- Monterroso, Ó.
- Tuya, F.
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| 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 12 kg solids m−2 yr−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. |
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