AQUA 2024

August 26 - 30, 2024

Copenhagen, Denmark

UTILISATION OF AN ENERGY RELATED INDEX FOR ASSESSING AQUACULTURE SITES IN EXPOSED WATERS

Kevin Heasman, Tyler Sclodnick, Nils Goseberg, Nicholas Scott, Michael Chambers, Tobias Dewhurst, Samuel Rickerich, Heidi Moe Føre, and Bela H. Buck.

1Blue Technology Group, Cawthron Institute, Nelson, 7010, New Zealand. Kevin.heasman@cawthron.org.nz

 



 When moving from a very sheltered aquaculture site to a very exposed oceanic site, the energy increases proportionally in a continuum. Lojek et al. (2024) considered the primary influential parameters (water current, waves period, water depth) which dictate the  candidate  species, structure, technology, methods, and operational aspects of any aquaculture endeavour and investigated six possible indices which cover these variables. Added to advanced computer modelling, assisted by detailed and constant environmental monitoring, it may be possible to refine site selection, structure and design decision , species selection, equipment and logistic  considerations  and health and safety requirements. This paper will  discuss the benefits of  two selected indicative indices from the potential equations and compare them with known operational aquaculture sites highlighting present structural capability and limitations. The two indices are also utilized to reflect on their suitability for assessing sample sites with respect to biological, technological, operational or maintenance aspects of aquaculture activities.