Science Advisory Report 2018/023

Assessment of the ability of hydrodynamic and particle tracking models to inform decisions on siting and management of marine finfish aquaculture facilities in British Columbia

Summary

• The modeling methodology used to simulate hydrodynamics (FVCOM) and particle movements provides a scientifically sound approach to representing two oceanographically complex areas of the British Columbia coast (Broughton Archipelago and Discovery Islands).
• The hydrodynamic model (FVCOM) developed for the Broughton Archipelago and Discovery Islands regions effectively reproduced the major ocean circulation features and temperature and salinity values that were measured during the time periods evaluated.
• The passive particle tracking model is able to provide information on the dispersion distance, rate and particle concentrations.  Satisfactory agreement was shown with distribution patterns of surface drifters released in the Broughton study region in March 2008.
• A validation of the passive particle tracking model in the Discovery Islands study region has not been conducted due to the absence of drifter experiments. However, based on drifter studies in other regions, and the ability of FVCOM to simulate the hydrodynamics of this region, a similar level of agreement between observed drifter movement and simulated particle dispersion to that seen in the Broughton study region is expected.
• This particle tracking model is capable of simulating the fate of particles with biological characteristics such as the diel movement of sea lice and susceptibility of a pathogen to UV radiation.  Uncertainties around the biological parameterizations and characteristics require caution in interpretation of results.  Specifically, evaluation of the environmental consequences of simulated biological particle behaviour was beyond the scope of this review.
• It was recognized that further validation of simulations of the biological particle tracking model may be needed.  This work should be preceded by (a) an assessment of model sensitivity to biological assumptions and parameter uncertainty, and (b) a cost-benefit analysis relative to the intended application.
• A number of tools derived from the outputs of the coupled hydrodynamic and particle tracking models were reviewed.  These tools include matrix diagrams of connectivity between aquaculture sites, particle concentration maps that can be produced at specific time intervals, particle flux diagrams showing primary dispersion trajectories and animations of particle dispersion that help to visualize likely movement patterns.
• The utility of the model tools to inform decisions related to aquaculture management was recognized.  Depending on the question of interest, simulations may be required for a range of time periods, representative weather conditions, freshwater discharge conditions, and for regions yet to be modeled.
• The hydrodynamic and particle track models have potential non-aquaculture applications.  These may include modelling particles from pollutant spills or larval dispersion.  They may also have application to tidal power investigations.

This Science Advisory Report is from the January 20-22, 2014 meeting ‘Assessment of the ability of hydrodynamic and particle tracking models to inform decisions on siting and management of marine finfish aquaculture facilities in British Columbia’.  Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.

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