68
M. Holmer et al.
for several types of environmental impact, even if the effect is greatest on the sediment under the cages.
2.2.3.1 Monitoring Benthic Impact
Parallel to the work of determining environmental objectives, a management system was developed which mainly focused on monitoring and modelling the impact of
organic waste from fish farms. The system (MOM: Modelling – Ongrowing fish farms
– Monitoring) combines modelling of potential impact with monitoring benthic
impact and provides environmental quality standards (EQS, Ervik et al. 1997). The
amount of monitoring carried out depends on the extent of the environmental impact and
the EQS sets a limit for maximum allowable impact and makes it possible to distinguish between different impact levels. The monitoring programme of the MOM
system (Hansen et al. 2001) has been used to make a Norwegian standard:
“Environmental monitoring of marine fish farms NS-9410” (Norwegian Standards
Association 2000). Mandatory environmental monitoring is performed according to
NS-9410 as established in the Aquaculture Operation Regulations (Anon. 2004) and
the responsible authorities are the Fisheries Directorate and the County Governor’s
Department of Environment. The standard describes methods for measuring bottom
impacts from marine fish farms and gives detailed procedures on how environmental
impacts from individual fish farm sites shall be monitored and includes EQS. All
Norwegian standards are reviewed every 5 years and the Norwegian standard NS9410 is currently under review with a new version scheduled in 2007.
NS-9410 focuses on methods for determination of sediment conditions at and in
the vicinity of fish farms. Traditionally, monitoring of benthic impact at fish farm
sites has been faunal community analysis. This type of monitoring is maintained in
NS-9410, but mainly in the receiving water body, and at the site less time demanding
and expensive surveys are used. The scientific benefit of the more advanced faunal
community method was balanced against the advantage of a higher number of
samples and more frequent surveys. Furthermore, due to smaller sampling gear,
sediment samples can be retrieved from between net cages in compact net cage
groups. Threshold values for environmental impact are set such that fish farm sites
may be in use over a long period of time and aim to ensure favourable living conditions
for the farmed fish as well as to prevent unacceptable impact on the surrounding area.
Presently NS-9410 describes monitoring of organic waste but sampling for
medicines and chemicals in the sediment can conveniently be added.
2.2.3.2 NS-9410
The monitoring programme in NS-9410 includes three types of surveys (A, B and C
investigation). The A- and B-investigations survey the potential and actual impacts
on the sediment under and in the immediate vicinity of the fish farm. The C-investigation aims to obtain a picture of the impact on the receiving water body as a whole.
M. Holmer et al.
for several types of environmental impact, even if the effect is greatest on the sediment under the cages.
2.2.3.1 Monitoring Benthic Impact
Parallel to the work of determining environmental objectives, a management system was developed which mainly focused on monitoring and modelling the impact of
organic waste from fish farms. The system (MOM: Modelling – Ongrowing fish farms
– Monitoring) combines modelling of potential impact with monitoring benthic
impact and provides environmental quality standards (EQS, Ervik et al. 1997). The
amount of monitoring carried out depends on the extent of the environmental impact and
the EQS sets a limit for maximum allowable impact and makes it possible to distinguish between different impact levels. The monitoring programme of the MOM
system (Hansen et al. 2001) has been used to make a Norwegian standard:
“Environmental monitoring of marine fish farms NS-9410” (Norwegian Standards
Association 2000). Mandatory environmental monitoring is performed according to
NS-9410 as established in the Aquaculture Operation Regulations (Anon. 2004) and
the responsible authorities are the Fisheries Directorate and the County Governor’s
Department of Environment. The standard describes methods for measuring bottom
impacts from marine fish farms and gives detailed procedures on how environmental
impacts from individual fish farm sites shall be monitored and includes EQS. All
Norwegian standards are reviewed every 5 years and the Norwegian standard NS9410 is currently under review with a new version scheduled in 2007.
NS-9410 focuses on methods for determination of sediment conditions at and in
the vicinity of fish farms. Traditionally, monitoring of benthic impact at fish farm
sites has been faunal community analysis. This type of monitoring is maintained in
NS-9410, but mainly in the receiving water body, and at the site less time demanding
and expensive surveys are used. The scientific benefit of the more advanced faunal
community method was balanced against the advantage of a higher number of
samples and more frequent surveys. Furthermore, due to smaller sampling gear,
sediment samples can be retrieved from between net cages in compact net cage
groups. Threshold values for environmental impact are set such that fish farm sites
may be in use over a long period of time and aim to ensure favourable living conditions
for the farmed fish as well as to prevent unacceptable impact on the surrounding area.
Presently NS-9410 describes monitoring of organic waste but sampling for
medicines and chemicals in the sediment can conveniently be added.
2.2.3.2 NS-9410
The monitoring programme in NS-9410 includes three types of surveys (A, B and C
investigation). The A- and B-investigations survey the potential and actual impacts
on the sediment under and in the immediate vicinity of the fish farm. The C-investigation aims to obtain a picture of the impact on the receiving water body as a whole.