Long-term Seafloor Monitoring at an Open Ocean Aquaculture Site in the Western Gulf of Maine, USA: Development of an Adaptive Protocol

Authors

Raymond E. Grizzle, University of New Hampshire, DurhamFollow
Larry G. Ward, University of New HampshireFollow
David W. Fredriksson, University of New Hampshire, Durham
James D. Irish, University of New Hampshire, Durham
Richard Langan, Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology
C. Heinig, MER Assessment Corporation
Jennifer K. Greene, The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA
H A. Abeels, University of Florida
Chris R. Peter, University of New Hampshire, Durham
Alyson Eberhardt, University of New Hampshire, Durham

Abstract

The seafloor at an open ocean finfish aquaculture facility in the western Gulf of Maine, USA was monitored from 1999 to 2008 by sampling sites inside a predicted impact area modeled by oceanographic conditions and fecal and food settling characteristics, and nearby reference sites. Univariate and multivariate analyses of benthic community measures from box core samples indicated minimal or no significant differences between impact and reference areas. These findings resulted in development of an adaptive monitoring protocol involving initial low-cost methods that required more intensive and costly efforts only when negative impacts were initially indicated. The continued growth of marine aquaculture is dependent on further development of farming methods that minimize negative environmental impacts, as well as effective monitoring protocols. Adaptive monitoring protocols, such as the one described herein, coupled with mathematical modeling approaches, have the potential to provide effective protection of the environment while minimize monitoring effort and costs.

Department

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, Jackson Estuarine Laboratory

Publication Date

11-15-2014

Volume

88

Journal Title

Marine Pollution Bulletin

Pages

129-137

Conference Date

Nov. 15, 2014

Publisher Place

New York, NY. USA

Rights

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publisher

Elsevier

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.09.014

Document Type

Journal Article

Recommended Citation

R.E. Grizzle, L.G. Ward, D.W. Fredriksson, J.D. Irish, R. Langan, C.S. Heinig, J.K. Greene, H.A. Abeels, C.R. Peter, A.L. Eberhardt, Long-term seafloor monitoring at an open ocean aquaculture site in the western Gulf of Maine, USA: Development of an adaptive protocol, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 88, Issues 1–2, 15 November 2014, Pages 129-137, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.09.014.