Archive for the ‘Environmental Impacts’ Category


Welcome to Envirofinfish.org!!

Cobia in an Aquapod - Photograph Steve Page

Cobia in an Aquapod - Photograph Steve Page

This website is being developed to provide a platform to exchange ideas and information about sustainable aquaculture and the development and use of practical regulation, policy and management frameworks to ensure sustainability while optimising production and hence economic benefit.

Globally, aquaculture is growing rapidly, but production needs to exceed current growth rates if it is to meet the projected shortfall in seafood (about 38 million tonnes per year by 2030 according to the FAO).  Marine finfish can supply a major part of the projected shortfall, but to deliver, the sector will need significant additional investment.  That investment, in most countries, will only be realised if investors can see clear and equitable processes are in place for licences and other approvals to be issued and some secure tenure provided for marine sites.  To ensure sustainability, it will essential for appropriate regulatory measures to be put in place that foster development while ensuring environmental sustainability.

This website has been set up in response to the need for an interactive space to upload and share information about environmental monitoring, planning, policy, and regulation with reference to marine aquaculture development.  Hopefully, it will reduce duplication of effort when researching and designing appropriate environmental regulatory regimes for marine aquaculture and assist in implementation of best practise principles worldwide.


Environmental Impacts of Sea Cage Aquaculture

The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), undertakes research in tropical marine science. 

AIMS has recently been involved in two projects relating to the environmental effects of sea cage aquaculture in tropical environments.  Project Two involved the investigation of environmental impacts from a sea cage aquaculture operation in the Hinchinbrook Channel, Queensland.  The operation is located within both a Wet Tropics World Heriatge Area and the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area – indicating that aquaculture operations and protected marine areas are not incompatible.

Dr David McKinnon led this investigation and the final report for the project is available to download from the AIMS website.  From undertaking the study, AIMS have identified a range of possible indicators that may be suitable for future environmental monitoring programs.

The overall results of the study indicate there has been no significant impact from the farm’s operation on the adjacent marine environment, despite it being in operation for over 20 years – good news for the environment and for aquaculture!


Environmental Management Systems for Aquaculture

Environmental management systems are also starting to evolve for some forms of aquaculture, as well as more formal environmental management systems (EMS). EMS is a complex approach with little direct application to small- and medium-sized farms, however, EMS principles provide useful guidance for improving environmental management of aquaculture production systems.

EMS assemble management policies, programmes and practices designed to identify links between industry, urban and developmental activities, and consequent pressures on the environment. An effective EMS for aquaculture should establish indicators of changes in the environment, including land, water and aquatic resources. Policies and practices responding to the changes are implemented with continuous feedback to reduce/mitigate any environmental impacts. These indicators should make clear links between environmental impacts and aquaculture activities. The indicators should also reflect positive and negative impacts of environmental influences on aquaculture, as well as visa versa.

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