Aquaculture impact models

Aquaculture Environmental Impact Models
Model development, validation, support and training
Chris Cromey

Mathematical modelling of Aquaculture is an essential component of the continued development of this global industry. Reliable model use is dependent on:

Application of a model which is based on scientific validation
An understanding of the importance of input data used in the model, and the processes within the model
Understanding the capabilities and limitations of a particular model with respect to other available models
Training and transfer of knowledge and ideas between users applying models in different environments and for different species

I specialise in model development and validation projects. Some examples of models developed with colleagues at the Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, Scotland and other scientists are given below.

An example of a deposition footprint on the sea bed formed by settling faecal and feed particles. Primary considerations are the depth of water column, current velocity and settling velocity of particles. Link to video (YouTube)

These models predict the dispersion of waste faecal and feed particles from aquaculture and in most cases, the impact on the benthos described via a benthic indicator:

MERAMOD - sea bass and bream farms in the Mediterranean - Model specification and validation (ECASA toolbox)

DEPOMOD - farmed species such as salmon and cod in temperate waters (Cromey et al. 2009, 2002a, b) - Model specification and validation (ECASA toolbox)

TROPOMOD - milkfish and tilapia in Asia - EU Philminaq project and Use of modelling for zoning and estimating carrying capacity (including TROPOMOD modelling) - pages 62-82 (pdf)

AutoDEPOMOD - regulatory modelling of salmon and cod farms - User manual (SEPA - Scottish regulator document - Annex H (pdf)) and ECASA toolbox. AutoDEPOMOD course notes and presentation.

AutoDEPOMOD version 3 - this accepts spatially varying flow fields. It is used with ancillary software (Velgrid) - see getting started with AutoDEPOMODv3 and Velgrid

Other models

BIOFLUXMODEL - used to optimise the location of biofiltration modules near particulate sources - Cook et al. (2006)
Shellfish-DEPOMOD - contact Andrea Weise, DFO, Canada (Weise et al., 2009)
BenOss - dispersion of wastes from sewage effluents - Cromey et al. (1998)

Quick links:

AutoDEPOMOD version 3 - this accepts spatially varying flow fields

ECASA toolbox - indicators and models for Aquaculture in Europe

DEPOMOD general information (pdf) and references

Obtaining a license for one of these models - contact Chris Cromey or Kenny Black, SAMS

Curriculum vitae (.doc)

Contact details:

Any problems with bounced email, use:

Tel. +44 7923 538 743
Skype user name: philminaqcjc

Other Useful Links

ECASA tool box
1 2 3	Modelling pages - choosing a model and some background on model application and scale Finding a site and Optimising a farm Testing model reliability

Scottish Environment Protection Agency useful documents
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8	Marine Aquaculture modelling home page Marine Fish Farm manual Modelling of biomass and In-feed sea lice parasitics (Annex H) (pdf) Bath treatments (Annex G) (pdf) Sea bed monitoring (Annex F) (pdf) Water column monitoring (Annex E) (pdf) Hydrographic data requirements for fish farms in Scotland (Attachment VIII) (pdf) Standards - sediment and water column standards (Annex A) (pdf)

Fisheries Research Services - Scottish Executive useful documents
1 2 3 4	Locational Guidelines for the Authorisation of Marine Fish Farms in Scottish Waters - June 2008 Modelling method for the above locational guidelines - Scottish Executive locational guidelines for fish farming: predicted levels of nutrient enhancement and benthic impact Scottish Fish Farms Annual Production Surveys Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Surveys

References - peer reviewed

Cromey, C.J., Thetmeyer, H., Lampadariou, N., Black, K.D. Kögeler, J. and Karakassis, I. MERAMOD – a model for predicting the deposition an benthic impact of aquaculture in the Eastern Mediterranean. In review.

Cromey, C.J., Nickell, T.D., Treasurer, J., Black, K.D. (2009). Modelling the impact of cod (Gadus morhua L.) farming on the marine environment – CODMOD. Aquaculture, 289, 42-53 - link to abstract

Nickell, T.D., Cromey, C.J., Borja, A, Black, K.D. The benthic impacts of a large cod farm – are there indicators for sustainability? (2009). Aquaculture, 295, 226-237.

Weise, A.M., Cromey, C. J., McKindsey, C. W. Callier, M. D. and Archambault. P. (2009). Shellfish-DEPOMOD: Modelling the biodeposition from suspended shellfish aquaculture and assessing benthic effects. Aquaculture, 288, 239-253. - link to abstract

Brigolin, D., Pastres, R., Nickell, T.D., Cromey, C.J., Aguilera, D.R. and Regnier, P. (2009). Modelling the impact of intensive aquaculture on early diagenetic processes in sea loch sediments. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 388, 63-90.

Sanderson, J.C., Cromey, C.J., Dring, M. and Kelly, M.S. (2008). Distribution of nutrients for seaweed cultivation around salmon cages at farm sites in north–west Scotland. Aquaculture, 278, 60-68.

Black, K.D. and Cromey, C.J. (2008). The scientific basis of marine fish farm regulation. Science Diliman, 20:2, 1-13.

Black, K.D. and Cromey, C.J. (2008) Fish farming effects on benthic community changes due to sedimentation. Pages 72-89. GESAMP (IMO/FAO/UNESCO-IOC/UNIDO/WMO/IAEA/UN/UNEP Joint Group of Experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection) 2008. Assessment and communication of environmental risks in coastal aquaculture. Rome, FAO. Reports and Studies GESAMP No. 76: 198 pp.

Magill, S.H., Thetmeyer, H., Cromey, C.J. (2006). Settling velocity of faecal pellets of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) and sensitivity analysis using measured data in a deposition model. Aquaculture, 251, 295-305.

Cook, E.J., Black, K.D., Sayer, M.D.J., Cromey, C.J., Angel, D., Katz, T., Eden, N., Spanier, E., Karakassis, Y., Tspakasis, M. and Malej, A. (2006). Pan-European study on the influence of caged mariculture on the development of sub-littoral fouling communities. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 63, 637-649.

Cromey, C.J. and Black, K.D. (2005). Modelling the impacts of finfish aquaculture. In: B.T.Hargrave (ed.) Environmental effects of marine finfish aquaculture. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry (volume 5, part M): Water Pollution, 129-155, Springer Verlag, ISSN 1433-6863.

Willis, K.J., Gillibrand, P.A., Cromey, C.J. and Black, K.D. (2005). Sea lice treatments on salmon farms have no adverse effects on zooplankton communities: a case study. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 50, 806-816.

Cromey, C.J., Nickell, T.D. and Black, K.D. (2002a). DEPOMOD - modelling the deposition and biological effects of waste solids from marine cage farms. Aquaculture, 214, 211-239.

Cromey, C.J., Nickell, T.D., Black, K.D., Provost, P.G., Griffiths, C.R. (2002b). Validation of a fish farm waste resuspension model by use of a particulate tracer discharged from a point source in a coastal environment. Estuaries, 25, 916-929.

Silvert, W. and Cromey, C.J. (2000). Modelling Impacts. In Environmental Impacts of Aquaculture (ed. K.D. Black), Sheffield Academic Press, pp 154 – 181. ISBN 0-8493-0501-2.

Cromey, C.J., Black, K.D., Edwards, A. and Jack I.A. (1998). Modelling the Deposition and Biological Effects of Organic Carbon from Marine Sewage Discharges. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, 47, 295–308.

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Last updated 29/12/2010

Disclaimer: No responsibility whatsoever can be taken for any loss or damage arising from downloading documents or using models detailed on this web site (details).