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GESAMP - Assessment and communication of environmental risks in coastal aquaculture.

Year of publication 2008

Pages 198

Author GESAMP;Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Division

Product type Book (stand-alone)

ISBN 9789251059470

Series title Reports and Studies GESAMP

Series number 1020-4873 - 76

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) This GESAMP study focuses on environmental risk assessment and communication in coastal aquaculture. To support effectively an open and transparent approach to sustainable resource use, risk assessment and communication must be able to fit within a broader social, economic and environmental decision-making framework. The communication aspects become paramount in enabling sustainable development in that type of decision-making environment. This publication presents a set of objectives, goals, met hodologies and a checklist for assessment and communication of environmental risks which may be associated with coastal aquaculture. It is structured to improve risk communication and to ensure that risk assessment is a scientific exercise in predicting environmental change. A set of six case studies is also presented to illustrate the use of the environmental risk assessment methodologies in coastal aquaculture. These examples of environmental interactions span a range of cultured species from fin fish to molluscs and shrimp. The type of effects studied includes effects on carrying capacity, phytoplankton, kelp, benthic fauna, the genome of wild fishes and salinisation of soils.

Cite this content as:

GESAMP (IMO/FAO/UNESCO-IOC/UNIDO/WMO/IAEA/UN/UNEP Joint Group of Eexperts on Sscientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection) 2008. Assessment and communication of environmental risks in coastal aquaculture. Rome, FAO. Reports and Studies GESAMP No. 76: 198 pp.

Language English

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    This document is directed to aquaculture development specialists, coastal resource use planners and government officials involved and interested in the planning and management of coastal aquaculture development within the wider context of resource use in coastal areas. It is intended to serve in the promotion of environmental management of coastal aquaculture. Guidelines are given for improved environmental management of coastal aquaculture based on an overview of selected published experiences and concepts. Potential adverse environmental effects of and on coastal aquaculture practices are addressed with consideration of main socio-economic and bio-physical factors. Methodologies are presented for the assessment and monitoring of environmental hazards and impacts of coastal aquaculture. Selected environmental management options are described for application both at policy-level and farm-level.
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    Reducing environmental impacts of coastal aquaculture. 1991
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    There have been substantial socio-economic benefits arising from the expansion of coastal aquaculture. However, in some coastal regions, this has caused significant ecological changes. 2. The type and scale of any ecological change associated with coastal aquaculture development will depend on the method of aquaculture, the level of production and the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the coastal area. Ecological change has been associated with the large-scale production of bivalves and seaweeds and the release of dissolved and particulate waste from fish, shrimp, and bivalve culture. Destruction of productive wetland habitats has resulted in the disturbance of wildlife and uncontrolled introductions and transfers have altered or impoverished the biodiversity of the receiving ecosystem. Some ecological change, such as the impact of organic waste on the seabed ecosystem, can limit production. 3. The indiscriminate use of bioactive compounds, including pesticides and antibiotics, has caused concern about their release into the aquatic environment. The health implications of the use of chemicals and the consumption of seafood grown in contaminated waters are problems of growing concern, especially in relation to intoxication by phycotoxins and infectious diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, and hepatitis. 4. Some of the ecological and socio-economic problems encountered are due to the market failure to reflect the true cost of resource depletion and environmental change. The solution to this problem requires policy intervention at national and local level, particularly in regard to the issues of common property rights and economic incentives and deterrents needed to minimize environmental change. 5. Sustainable coastal aquaculture requires adequate consideration of the interactions among the social, economic and ecological changes.
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