Abstract
Abstract A spatially explicit coupled hydrodynamic-mass transport model system was used to simulate dispersal of particulate organic matter from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) farming in central Norway. Model setups of 32 m horizontal resolution were run for periods of up to 650 days for 3 sites of different oceanographic characteristics: one fjord location, one medium-exposed location influenced by fjord water and one coastal location. Records on feed used for each cage at each location were converted to feces released based on a published mass balance model. The results from the simulations were compared with scores from corresponding mandatory benthic surveys (MOM-B) of the sediment layer beneath the farms. The correspondence between simulated and measured thickness of the sediment layer was good, and improved with the inclusion of resuspension processes. At all sites the distribution of organic matter in the bottom layer was non-homogeneous, with significant temporal variation and transport and settling of matter up to at least 0.5 km away from one of the farms. Our results indicate that the monitoring practice used in Norway until now, with a few sediment grab samples taken mainly within the fish farm, may not adequately determine the areal impacts of all salmon farming operations. The patchy distribution of organic matter and the correspondence between simulation and survey results is attributed to the use of full 3D current fields of a high spatiotemporal resolution and a good model for resuspension processes that some previous model studies have failed to properly account for.
Highlights
Global aquaculture production increased by 6.1% annually from 2002 to 2012 (FAO, 2012)
Norwegian aquaculture production increased from 5 × to 1.25 × t from 2003 to 2012 (Statistics Norway, www.ssb.no) and it has been suggested that by 2050 this production may be increased by a factor of 3–5 T (Olafsen et al, 2012)
We apply a coupled hydrodynamics-mass transport model (Figure 1) to the study of the dispersal and deposition of particulate wastes from 3 fish farming locations in central Norway operated by SalMar Farming AS: location 1 (Tristeinen, semi-exposed location), location 2 (Rataren, coastal, exposed location, 2 cage arrays: I and II from west to east), and location 3 (Korsneset, fjord location; Figure 2)
Summary
Global aquaculture production increased by 6.1% annually from 2002 to 2012 (FAO, 2012). It is predicted that in the future an increasing fraction of human food consumed will come from the oceans in general and aquaculture in particular (Olsen, 2011). Norwegian aquaculture production (mainly Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and rainbow trout Salmo trutta) increased from 5 × to 1.25 × t from 2003 to 2012 (Statistics Norway, www.ssb.no) and it has been suggested that by 2050 this production may be increased by a factor of 3–5 T (Olafsen et al, 2012). One of the main limiting factors for further growth of the mariculture sector is the availability of good locations (Hersoug, 2013). It is likely that with the present cultivation technology the average production at each location will further increase, with an ensuing increase
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