World human population has grown to the point that we can no longer expect to obtain additional protein from the sea without moving into the husbandry of the food species that are desired by consumers. New seafood for human consumption can only occur through a combination of sustainable fisheries management, habitat restoration, and advanced and environmentally friendly aquaculture. Natural aquatic systems have a built in carrying capacity for handling nutrients that is dependent on the biological and chemical processes that occur in those systems. Unrestrained aquaculture can have negative environmental impacts. It is essential to balance aquaculture production with ecosystem function, nutrient assimilation, and habitat creation and conservation. Proper planning and placement of aquaculture facilities is very important in maintaining ecosystem function.
This book is the result of a workshop at which multidisciplinary teams of international experts in the fields of aquaculture, ecology, fisheries, geographic information systems, ecosystem modeling and coastal resource management presented and discussed inshore or offshore aquaculture case study scenarios that include marine aquaculture as a technology to improve coastal ecological function, carrying capacity and economic sustainability. The proceedings identifies key factors and parameters needed for ecosystem based management relative to aquaculture and how aquaculture can contribute to ecological function and better water quality in coastal areas. Country teams determined the status of balanced ecosystem approaches to coastal management in their countries and considered the modeling necessary for good decision–making when aquaculture is included in integrated coastal management.
- Both inshore and offshore aquaculture site-specific case scenarios, including implementation plans for use and management of marine aquaculture activities for selected countries including: United States, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam.
- A set of universal guiding principles for coastal ecosystem management focusing on marine aquaculture.
- Primary data and parameter components for coastal ecosystem models that include marine aquaculture
- Marine aquaculture siting considerations by a coastal manager for decision-making relative to placement of aquaculture in coastal ecosystems
This volume provides an important reference on a topic of growing importance to coastal resource managers and aquaculturists worldwide.
Edited by James P. McVey, Cheng-Sheng Lee, and Patricia J. O’Bryen
Softbound, 240 pages
41 Tables, 40 Figures
