Modelling benthic deposition under fish cages

Abstract

Simple models which predict the dispersion and input of organic waste from cage fish farms can be used as management tools for the siting of farms and assessing the potential for enrichment of the benthic ecosystem. A modification of the sediment model originally described by Gowen et al. (1988) is presented. The modifications include: variation in bottom topography; changes in current speed with depth; correction of horizontal current flow in response to changing depth. Data from a fish farm in Chile are used to compare simulations of dispersion and sediment loading from the original and modified models.