The effect of in situ shading on a Posidonia oceanica meadow situated within a fish farm induced moderately nutrient enriched environment

Abstract

The aim of this research was to explore the possibility of a successful and balanced integration of fish farming installations into an ecosystem dominated by Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile species. We selected light, temperature, seabed topography, sediment characteristics, meadow density, bottom coverage, maximum leaf length and lower depth limit as principle components in assessing the influence of the fish farm. All P. oceanica descriptors showed significant correlation with light deprivation effect while sediment organic matter content revealed slightly higher values than normal, increasing with distance from the cages. The results point to a conclusion that in such lightly nutrient enriched ecosystems, the seagrass growth and distribution are principally controlled by the shadow that cages cast on the seabed below, and that when carefully planned, fish farms do not necessarily degrade the health status of the surrounding area, but in fact facilitate a transition into a secondary stable state.