The coexistence of aquaculture and inshore fisheries in Scotland: An ecotoxicological approach to establish potential contamination pathways in commer
Lead Research Organisation:
Heriot-Watt University
Department Name: Sch of Energy, Geosci, Infrast & Society
Abstract
The overall research questions addressed by this project are: what are the biological and environmental pathways of aquaculture therapeutants and other legacy contaminants in relation to commercially important crustaceans? Is there an association between these pathways and observed pathologies such as shell disease? And, how can planning and management be used to interrupt critical links in these pathways? Given close proximity of aquaculture and fisheries grounds, local concerns about potential interactions, and access of the HEI partners to fishery monitoring activities, Orkney waters provide an ideal opportunity to examine these links, with a particular focus on N. puber.
High incidences of deformities and lesions in N. puber have been noted in one particular location in Orkney and concerns regarding the close proximity of an aquaculture facility was considered merit for further investigation. An MSc project (June-Aug 2018) at Heriot-Watt University revealed contaminant chemical residues in the tissues of N. puber (never previously recorded, details remain confidential) at a different location, also in close proximity to an aquaculture facility. Whilst, no causal link between the chemical and the black-spot lesions or deformities was established in this small-scale study, a wider more detailed programme of sampling is proposed to: (1) determine the frequency of black-spot and deformities in N. puber populations in Orkney; (2) map N. puber mobility and determine frequency of encounters in allowable zone of effect under aquaculture facilities; (3) analyse N. puber (and other commercially important crabs, e.g. Cancer pagurus) tissues for chemical therapeutants associated with aquaculture (current and legacy); (4) investigate other legacy chemical contaminants with moulting-inhibitor abilities at locations where a high incidence of deformities and black-spot has been recorded.
High incidences of deformities and lesions in N. puber have been noted in one particular location in Orkney and concerns regarding the close proximity of an aquaculture facility was considered merit for further investigation. An MSc project (June-Aug 2018) at Heriot-Watt University revealed contaminant chemical residues in the tissues of N. puber (never previously recorded, details remain confidential) at a different location, also in close proximity to an aquaculture facility. Whilst, no causal link between the chemical and the black-spot lesions or deformities was established in this small-scale study, a wider more detailed programme of sampling is proposed to: (1) determine the frequency of black-spot and deformities in N. puber populations in Orkney; (2) map N. puber mobility and determine frequency of encounters in allowable zone of effect under aquaculture facilities; (3) analyse N. puber (and other commercially important crabs, e.g. Cancer pagurus) tissues for chemical therapeutants associated with aquaculture (current and legacy); (4) investigate other legacy chemical contaminants with moulting-inhibitor abilities at locations where a high incidence of deformities and black-spot has been recorded.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/S007342/1 | 01/10/2019 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 2337733 | Studentship | NE/S007342/1 | 30/09/2019 | 28/02/2023 | Katie Cubbon |