Scott Hadley
QMS PhD Confirmation Seminar

Venue: IMAS Sandy Bay Seminar Room
Date/Time: Friday, 27 April 2012, 3:00 PM

Abstract:
A biogeochemical model simulating macroalgal productivity is applied to investigate the potential for Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture in SE Tasmania. In a major study into the impact of salmon farming on the marine environment in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Huon Estuary, CSIRO used an ecosystem model to quantify the increase of nutrients in the region due to the output from the farms. The results of these studies have shown the need to develop a strategy to deal with nutrient loading from salmon aquaculture, particularly in light of a proposed expansion of the industry. One method gaining momentum worldwide is Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA), in which the primary species receiving added food are farmed alongside species able to extract components of added food unused by the target species. This investigation will look at the potential of this type of farming to mitigate nutrient loading in this region. The focus of this talk will be on the construction of a biogeochemical model to describe the growth and remediation potential of selected species of seaweed. The model will then be modularised in the CSIRO’s fully coupled high resolution 3D hydrodynamic, sediment and biogeochemical model to quantify the system wide effectiveness of growing marine macroalgae in multitrophic aquaculture.