July 19, 2024 - The Applied Marine Ecosystems Research unit (aMER) at the University of Plymouth, led by Dr Emma Sheehan, is leading efforts to monitor the ecological impact of offshore aquaculture installation in the UK. With the global push towards sustainable development and blue growth, understanding the environmental effects of aquaculture is crucial. Since 2013, aMER has focused on the UK's first large-scale offshore longline mussel farm in Lyme Bay, owned and operated by Offshore Shellfish Ltd, with research efforts aiming to support a sustainable, resource-efficient, evidence-based aquaculture industry going forward.
aMER employs innovative, non-destructive video techniques to monitor the marine environment around aquaculture installations. These include a flying towed underwater video system to capture high quality footage of benthic habitats and species, purpose built PelagiCam units to monitor pelagic marine life in the water column, plus remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVS) to provide further detailed observation of benthic marine ecosystems. These techniques are cost-effective and time-efficient, allowing for comprehensive environmental monitoring without damaging marine habitats.
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The research at the offshore mussel farm has revealed significant positive environmental impacts including increased biodiversity, as the mussel farm boosts species diversity and restores the seabed under the farm, which has been previously damaged by destructive bottom towed fishing practices. By providing evidence of the environmental benefits, the research can aid in removing roadblocks to the consenting of future aquaculture installations, where applications are often denied in the absence of evidence. The mussel farm has been found to enhance both benthic and pelagic biodiversity, with up to a third increase in fish abundance (including increases in numbers of economically important species such as European seabass, plaice and lobster) and a 50 percent increase in infaunal diversity (Bridger et al. 2024, Mascorda-Cabre et al. 2023, Bridger et al. 2022).
Building on this work, the Defra funded UK Seafood Fund Ropes to Reefs Fisheries Industry Science Partnerships (FISP) project will evaluate the ecosystem services and benefits of offshore mussel farming and assess the restoration of essential fish habitat (EFH), biodiversity and associated healthy fish stocks (biomass). The project will quantify potential spillover effects of the farm and assess how and when fish use the farm habitat by using acoustic telemetry techniques and tagging species such as black bream, grey mullet, thornback ray and lobsters. The project will study fish movements and the connectivity between the farm and the nearby Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area (MPA) as well as benefits to surrounding fisheries.
Seabed restoration will be further explored using a multibeam echosounder to map the biogenic reef habitat extent under the farm compared to the surrounding seabed. The mussel farm has already been found to have increased reef habitat by 30 percent since the farm was installed. The project will build on the long-running partnership between the University of Plymouth and Offshore Shellfish Ltd and will utilise the unique before and after control impact (BACI) ten-year dataset - generated through PhD studentships supported by the company - that has been collected through the development of the farm.
Additionally, the project will incorporate aMER's previous study on a nearby scallop farm in Torbay. This research project demonstrated positive environmental impacts including increased biodiversity around the farm site compared to nearby control areas. Ropes to Reefs will also integrate a nearby seaweed farm to demonstrate habitat connectivity between the different aquaculture sites.
The research conducted by the University of Plymouth showcases the potential of low-trophic restorative offshore aquaculture to enhance marine biodiversity and support environmental and economic goals. The long-term monitoring techniques and evidence-based approach aim to support a resilient and sustainable offshore aquaculture industry in the UK, providing a model for global practices. By supporting policy makers and managers, the University of Plymouth aims to ensure that aquaculture contributes positively to food security, conservation and surrounding fisheries.
References:
Bridger D, Attrill MJ, Rees SE, Sheehan EV (2024) The aggregation effect of offshore mussel farming on pelagic fishes. Aquaculture Fish and Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/aff2.165
Bridger D, Attrill MJ, Rees S, Davies B, Mascorda-Cabre L, Sheehan EV (2022) The restoration potential of offshore mussel farming on degraded seabed habitat. Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries http://doi.org/10.1002/aff2.77
Mascorda-Cabre L, Hosegood P, Attrill MJ, Bridger D, Sheehan EV (2023) Detecting sediment recovery below an offshore longline mussel farm: A macrobenthic Biological Trait Analysis (BTA). Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 195, 2023 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115556
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