Research Project EMMA

EMMA

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND MODELLING OF AQUACULTURE
IN RISK AREAS OF THE PHILIPPINES

This 2-year Norad funded research project investigated the impacts of aquaculture in the Philippines, to develop predictive models and make recommendations on ways to mitigate impact. The project trained Government staff in the operation of the monitoring equipment, analysis of data collected and the use of models for predictive assessment of impact and estimation of safe carrying capacity.

:: ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

6 baseline environmental and production surveys were undertaken in three areas of the Philippines, Bolinao Bay an enclosed marine bay, Dagupan, a brackishwater estuary and Taal lake a large freshwater lake. There areas had suffered fish kills in the past.

:: ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING EQUIPMENT

Government staff were trained in the use of the monitoring equipment, analysis of the results and ways to mitigate the impact of aquaculture.

The equipment used for collecting the data was:

An echo sounder with GPS to collect bathymetry of the area
Current meters to collect current speed and direction
Drogues for the collection of water dispersion data
CTDO to collect temperature, turbidity, salinity, oxygen, profile through the water column
Water quality analysis in the laboratory to analyse chlorophyll, phosphorous, nitrite, ammonia

This equipment was donated to the Government Institute.

:: MODELLING OF AQUACULTURE IMPACTS

Hydrodynamic models were developed for zoning of aquaculture areas. A box model was developed and validated for estimating safe carrying capacity for aquaculture.

	Environmental Impacts in Bolinao
	Environmental impacts in Dagupan, Philippines
	Environmental impacts in Taal
	EMMA final report

aquaculture01.asia@gmail.com