DARD Update Research and Development Projects

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DARD UpdateResearch and Development Projects
CARD 22 June 2004
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Topics

• Ecosystem model (Carrying capacity)
• Risk Assessment (ERA/ERAD)
• Fisheries GIS
• Bottom Mussel Industry Investigation
• (C-MAR)

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• A multi-disciplinary investigation of the blue
  mussel seed resource in the North Irish Sea and
  ongrowing strategies for the N. Ireland bottom
  mussel industry
• C-MAR, AFESD, Marcon Computations Int. Ltd, CBAIT
• August 2003 for 3 years

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Aims

• to provide a biological and economic appraisal
  of the mussel (Mytilus edulis) seed resource and
  management strategies of re-laid stocks in the
  North Irish Sea and investigate alternative
  strategies of seed supply

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(No Transcript)
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Sustainable Mariculture in Northern Irish Lough
Ecosystems

• Workplan
• Physiology models (AJSH)
• System scale models (PM)
• Integration (JGF)

Irish Sea
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SMILE workplanKey objectives

1. To establish functional models at the lough
   scale, describing key environmental variables and
   processes, aquaculture activities and their
   interactions
2. To examine the effects of aquaculture on key
   ecological variables
3. To examine bay-scale environmental effects of
   different culture strategies
4. To evaluate sustainable carrying capacity from an
   integrated ecosystem perspective.

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SMILE workplanWorkpackage scheduling
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SMILE workplan Outputs
Workpackage Outputs Deliverables
WP1 Data organisation/ assimilation Consolidated, spatially referenced datasets Databases and GIS for the 5 loughs
WP2 General physical and biogeochemical models Calibrated and validated high resolution hydrodynamic and biogeochemical models for Belfast Lough, Lough Foyle and Strangford Lough. Simple advection-dispersion models for Carlingford Lough and Larne Lough Inputs for physical and biogeochemical characteristics to higher order ecological and management models. Outputs to the ecological models
WP3 Individual models for target species Mathematical description of the key processes relevant for feeding, biodeposition, excretion and growth in mussels and oysters Calibrated models in a visual simulation platform delivered for use in ongoing management programs
WP4 Implementation, calibration and validation of integrated models Description of ecosystem dynamics, individual growth of target species, population dynamics and human interaction for the five sea loughs Calibrated models in EcoWin2000 for the five loughs, delivered for use in ongoing management programs


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Workpackage WP5 Exploitation of models Outputs A quantitative assessment of the carrying capacity in respect of both ecological function as well as any defined ecosystem management objectives. Outcomes of two different exploitation scenarios for all the loughs Deliverables Assessment report of the likely outcomes of various client defined development scenarios in respect of the ecological and human activity defined carrying capacities. Standard models which provide a baseline, results from user-defined scenarios
WP6 Management recommendations Condensation of the previous workpackages into a synthesis of the various management options Management-oriented book, scientific papers (minimum of 3), website, specific recommendations for aquaculture development at the five loughs
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Ecosystem modellingComponents and integration
GIS
Environmental factors Continuous
monitoring Biological processes Bivalve
ecophysiology Stock assessment Growth monitoring
Hydrodynamics
Existing data
Ecosystem
Carrying capacity model
Data analysis
Ecophysiology
Scenarios
Database
Recommendations