Fish farm wastes in the ecosystem

Fish farms release dissolved and particulate waste into the ecosystem and the most important impacts on the water column and the sediments are described at different scales (A, B, C zones). An overview of the ethical and legal frameworks for management of aquaculture is given, introducing the ecosystem approach to regulation through the DPSIR (Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response) approach and EQSs (Environmental Quality Standards). The Scottish loch Creran is used as a case study due to the existence of long term monitoring and the presence of aquaculture in the loch. Finally the prospects for management of aquaculture within the European Water Framework Directive is discussed, and it is predicted that the implementation may either result in limited changes (e.g., same practice but outphasing of environmental hazards) or major changes (e.g., ecosystem approach to aquaculture through polycultures) to Scottish regulation.