Characterizing benthic transport of aquaculture tracer material in support of siting authorization models

Description

Predicting the dispersal of feed pellets and faecal waste through the use of hydrodynamic modeling is necessary to estimate the benthic zone of influence surrounding farm systems. Validating model predictions can help with site selection and provide research and monitoring tools for regulating the aquaculture industry. Although some information exists regarding resuspension thresholds for feed pellets, a comprehensive approach is required to provide transport coefficients of both feed and faecal material constituting a large range in size and chemical makeup in order to shed light on the dispersal patterns around fish pens and to develop methods to ensure the sustainability of the aquaculture industry. Lab flume experiments will be carried out to determine traction thresholds and transport rates of various feed and faecal material.

Findings

N/A

Publications

N/A

Program Name

Program for Aquaculture Regulatory Research (PARR)

Year(s)

2009 to 2010

Ecoregion(s)

National

Principal Investigator(s)

Terri Sutherland
Email: Terri.Sutherland@dfo-mpo.gc.ca