Monitoring for benthic impacts in the southwest New Brunswick salmon aquaculture industry

Abstract

Salmon aquaculture has been undertaken in southwest New Brunswick since the late 1970s. By 1986, there were 28 salmon farms, the industry was expanding rapidly, and researchers had started proposing methodologies for tracking benthic impacts. As a result of a number of projects conducted to determine a cost-effective monitoring protocol, and in consultation with aquaculture industry representatives, an Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) was adopted in 1995. This programme is a requirement of the aquaculture site licence and is conducted annually at each farmed site. The programme is now under review with the aim of refining the scientific information that is used in assigning an annual site impact rating. The development of the current Environmental Monitoring Program and the Federal and Provincial responsibilities with respect to environmental protection under which the monitoring programme was developed are discussed. A description of the scientific rationale and the industry requirements with respect to production that has led to the proposed changes to the current programme is included.