PARR-2010-P-10
The development of video monitoring methods and management thresholds to characterize the fish farm impacts on hard-bottom substrates

Previous work has recommended benthic monitoring tools and management thresholds to minimize benthic impacts originating from fish farms.  Although these tools were cost-effective, practical, accepted by the scientific community, and readily available in Canada, they were largely applicable to soft-sediment substrates. This project identifies and tests benthic sampling methods to monitor, quantify, and evaluate potential impacts to hard-bottom substrates in British Columbia and Newfoundland.  A classification system will be developed to identify the effects of farm waste deposition on hard-bottom substrates.  Another goal is to update a sampling decision tree to provide a comprehensive framework integrating both hard- and mixed-bottom monitoring techniques.  This will avoid duplication of effort and decrease costs to industry and regulatory agencies when conducting environmental assessments.

Principal investigator:  Terri Sutherland, DFO, 4160 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, BC V7V 1N6: Tel: 604-666-8537; Email: Terri.sutherland@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Team members:  Gehan Mabrouk, DFO-Newfoundland region; Danny Ings, DFO-Newfoundland region; March Klaver, DFO-Pacific region; Carol Grant, DFO-Newfoundland region; Lisa Noble, DFO-Newfoundland region.

3-year project (2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13)