Trophic capacity of Carlingford Lough for oyster culture – analysis by ecological modelling

Ferreira, João; Duarte, Pedro; Ball, B.

http://hdl.handle.net/10284/285

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Authors

Ferreira, João

Duarte, Pedro

Ball, B.

Abstract(s)

A one-dimensional ecosystem box model is presented for carrying capacity assessment.The model includes physical and biological processes. The physical processes are the transport of nutrients, suspended matter and phytoplankton through the system boundaries and between model boxes. The biological processes are primary production and oyster (Crassostrea gigas) population dynamics and physiology. The model was implemented using an object oriented approach. The model was employed to estimate the carrying capacity of Carlingford Lough (Ireland) for oyster culture. In the Lough, low water temperatures prevent the oysters from reproducing. Therefore, recruitment is human dependent. Small oyster spat is seeded every year during spring and harvested after the summer of the next year. During this period oysters reach commercially harvestable weight. The results obtained indicate that the carrying capacity of this system is approximately 0.45 g oysters (AFDW) m-3, determined more by the availability of particulate matter than by phytoplankton. It is suggested that a fivefold increase in oyster seeding may optimise harvest yield.