ECASA.org.uk Ecosystem approach for a sustainable aquaculture STREP (FP6, Priority 8)

Les objectifs d’ECASA Identifier des indicateurs quantitatifs et qualitatifs des effets de l’aquaculture sur l’environnement et réciproquement. Évaluer leur applicabilité. Développer des outils opérationnels, y compris des modèles, pour déterminer et décrire les interactions entre les conditions environnementales et les activités aquacoles, à travers différents écosystèmes et systèmes de production aquacoles. Développer une méthodologie pour les études d’impact environnemental et la sélection de sites, dans le cadre d’une gestion de la bande côtière

Interactions entre les Workpackages WP2 Indicateurs des interactions avec l’aquaculture WP3 Indicateurs des effets de l’écosysteme WP4 Test et développement des indicateurs et models WP5 Validation sur le terrain des indicateurs aet modeles Produit Attendu: “Boite à outils” d’indicateurs et de modèles WP6 Interaction avec les professionnels et le public

ECASA Methodology for selecting indicators The use of frameworks 1. DPSIR framework 2. Framework of European marine Aquaculture 3. ECASA framework

Sediment biogeochemistry Benthic flora and fauna Biomarkers Escapes Water quality and pelagic ecosystem Coastal zone management Socio economy ECASA framework for an ecosystem approach

The processus for selecting indicators 1- Proposals from partners experience and expertise The main questions: Frameworks belonging? Species and environments? Indicators computations? Significance of indicators? Interpreting the results: values and thresholds? Criteria for a Quality Assesment of indicators?

The processus for selecting indicators 2- Subgroup evaluation, From ECASA partners Each subgroup has selected the most pertinent indicators, based on a processus of consensus among the partners members of the subgroup

3- Field testing in aquaculture sites Ten sites were chosen in European waters The main species of fishes and shelfish were covered The main aquacultural techniques used in Europe were studied The processus for selecting indicators

4- Stakeholders comments on the list of indicators for an ecosystem approach of aquaculture impact The Heraklion meeting The processus for selecting indicators

Results

Examples of indicators From a site of mussels long lines

Examples of indicators

Multiplication factor of mussel density Multiplication factor of lease size Consequence assessment: indicator of growth effect as a function of density and lease size

Indicators are good communication tools, easy to understand and to appropriate Indicators only indicate, describe, testify, but they cannot predict. In the view of an ecosytem approach There is need for a set of indicators covering the main sustainability issues => Together with the modelling process, They are an essential part of the ECSASA toolbox