RESEARCH - Research Summary

Environmental Integrity Theme

Research Summary

The release of solids, nitrogen and phosphorus from aquaculture operations into the surrounding waters may lead to environmental degradation. Phosphorus waste output is a greater concern in freshwater, since it is generally the most limiting factor for plant (algae) growth in that environment. Nitrogen waste output is generally a greater concern in the marine environment for the same reason. Solid wastes settling to the sediment can negatively impact fresh water and marine benthic ecosystems by creating anoxic conditions. Reduction of all these types of wastes is key to ensuring the long-term sustainability of fish culture in Canada. Since all these wastes (solid, nitrogen, phosphorus) are ultimately from biological and dietary origins, efforts to reduce waste outputs should concentrate on these sources, either through improvement of the cultured animals themselves (e.g. through genetic improvements), or the feeds and feeding strategies.

This project brings together investigators and partners from Canada, France, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, and U.S.A. with complimentary strengths and interests (nutrition, genetic, physiology, growth modeling, environmental impact assessment). The investigators will conduct a series of trials aiming at improving our understanding of factors having a determinant effect on solid, nitrogen and phosphorus waste outputs of fish. This improved knowledge will then be translated into the development of approaches, such as feed formulae, models, software, genetic selection strategies, waste signatures, that will help mitigate the environmental impact of fish culture in Canada.

Network Investigators

Dominique P. Bureau, Dept. of Animal and Poultry Science, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, ON
C. F. M. de Lange, Dept. of Animal and Poultry Science, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, ON
Richard D. Moccia, Dept. of Animal and Poultry Science, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, ON
Stephen Birkett, Dept. of Systems Design Engineering, Univ. of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
Muriel Mambrini, Institut National de Recherche Agronomiques (INRA), Jouy-en-josas, France
Barbara Grisdale-Helland, AKVAFORSK (Institute of Aquaculture Research AS), Sunndalsora, Norway
Stale J. Helland, AKVAFORSK (Institute of Aquaculture Research AS), Sunndalsora, Norway
Patricia Wright, Dept. of Zoology, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, ON