Sustainability of Aquaculture: Applications of Environmental Model

Abstract

Aquaculture is characterized by three elements as the species to be cultured, the facility/area where the aquaculture will take place and the environment. The sustainability of aquaculture where the socio-economic benefits could not be ignored, is based on appropriate management strategies that do not harm the ecosystem. This compilation study emphasized on the following issues in line with sustainable aquaculture: a) The definition and significance of mathematical models were clarified b) The models developed and put into practice for aquaculture systems were presented c) Environmental models were addressed among the models in question. The study aiming at drawing attention to the environmental mathematical models used at aquaculture has three main topics: 1) The modelling of wastes due to nutrients load and/or aquaculture (estimated). 2) The modelling of the carrying capacity of the potential area for aquaculture 3) The modelling-monitoring of the environmental effects of aquaculture. The estimation of the theoretical carrying capacity (before aquaculture) of different receiving environments (sea, bay-gulf, inland waters) where especially cage fish farms operate, is evaluated as a crucial step in terms of sustainability. Following the aquaculture activity, monitoring practices are considered in order to preserve the production level in a way that will not change the basic environmental quality standards (regarding water-sediment-biota). The mathematical models including interactions between the physical, chemical and biological dimensions of aquaculture and the environment are considered as useful tools in terms of the planning and management of production. Within this context, the development and more comprehensive applications of authentic models that may yield reliable results within a short period and that comprise technological approaches will be beneficial in terms of sustainable aquaculture in Turkey.

Keywords: Aquaculture, sustainability, model, carrying capacity, environmental monitoring

DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/5-3-01