Evaluation of large pelagic predator populations near salmon aquaculture cages

Description

Observations by DFO scientists and industry in past years suggest the presence of large pelagic predators, in particular tuna and sharks, associated with salmon cage sites on the south coast of Newfoundland (G. Perry, personal communication; Hamoutene et al., 2018). These large predators residing near salmon cages are a concern for the aquaculture industry and its sustainability. Large predators can get trapped in and around cages and can damage cage nets to forage on farmed salmon. This can lead to cultured salmon escapes, and the presence of these predators can induce physiological stress that negatively impacts the salmons’ growth and immunity.

This project aims to document fundamental baseline information about the presence and distribution of large pelagic predators around salmon cages in the South Coast of Newfoundland. The information collected during this study will inform the aquaculture industry to help them implement avoidance strategies for large pelagic predators.

Program name

Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP)

Years

Three years: 2019-2022

Principal investigator

Daria Gallardi, aquatic science biologist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Newfoundland Region
Email: Daria.Gallardi@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Sebastien Donnet, physical scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Newfoundland Region
Email: Sebastien.Donnet@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Team members

Sebastien Donnet, physical scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Newfoundland Region
Maxime Geoffroy, research scientist, Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dounia Hamoutene, research scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, NHQ Ottawa
Shannon Cross, aquatic science technician, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Newfoundland Region
Kimberly Marshall, aquatic science biologist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Newfoundland Region
Terry Bungay, physical scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Newfoundland Region
Mark Simpson, Section Head, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Newfoundland Region

Collaborators

Julia Bungay, Health Safety and Environmental Compliance Coordinator, Cold Ocean Salmon