Conversion between bivalve aquaculture types: Consequences on hydrodynamics and food accessibility

PARR-2018-G-03

Description

In order to optimize the bivalve aquaculture industry yields in Atlantic Canada, farmers have been converting between culture techniques (i.e., on-bottom to off-bottoms) and species (i.e., mussels and oysters). These conversions usually come with a change in growing structure and crop location in the water column. Such changes can modify the water circulation, food availability and competition with natural bivalve populations in the vicinity of the farms. PARR-2018-G-03 aims to measure the influence growing structures used in Atlantic Canada have on hydrodynamics (i.e., drag generated by mussel longlines and oyster floating cages); and to measure the difference in food availability between oysters cultured on the bottom and in floating cages. The information generated will directly contribute to management decisions around new and existing farms, as well as help to improve the numerical modelling tools used to assess bay-scale carrying capacity.

Findings

N/A

Publications

N/A

Program Name

Program for Aquaculture Regulatory Research (PARR)

Years

2018-2020

Principal investigators

Thomas Guyondet
Research scientist, 343 University Ave., Moncton, NB E1C 5K4
Email: Thomas.Guyondet@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Rémi Sonier
Senior aquatic science biologist, 343 University Ave., Moncton, NB, E1C 5K4
Email: Remi.Sonier@dfo-mpo.gc.ca