ECASA methodology for the selection of indicators

The following methodology was select and test indicators of the impacts and interactions of aquaculture with the marine environment:

1. The 16 ECASA partners have experience in many types of European marine aquaculture from the culture of fish in cages in various environments (e.g. sheltered fjords to the open sea), to the culture of molluscs in longline systems in intertidal areas for different species (e.g. oysters mussels, clams).  Based on partners scientific research,  a list of potential indicators was collated.

2. Indicators were proposed using an indicator template sheet, collating all the necessary information so that an indicators  appropriateness and scientific validitiy could be assessed for different environments.

3. An initial selection of indicators was then made, based on scientific validity and appropriateness. This selections was then split into sub-groups (sediment, benthic, water quality, coastal zone management, genetics and socio-economics). The wide ranging experience provided by the different partners allowed the list to be narrowed down to the most appropriate indicators relating to marine aquaculture.

4. The short list of indicators was then tested in the field at sites representing the major European aquaculture types. According to the type of aquaculture and the speciality of each partner, these indicators were tested in conditions of true aquaculture operations, and compared each time with reference sites where the environmental conditions were of a similar nature (e.g. such as depth, sea bed type).

5. The results of these field tests are being presented to European stakeholders in September 2007 at a special workshop as they are the final users of the indicators. Comments and criticisms arising from this workshop will be considered and a final list of indicators will be recommended by ECASA in this Toolbox.

During the selection process different indicator frameworks were used to assess the indicators. The most developed is the DPSIR framework, which allows the classification of indicators according to their use, and the Driving forces, the environmental Pressure, the State of the environment, the Impact on the environment, and the Response from the environment.

Another framework can be considered as specific to the ECASA community: it corresponds to the different sub-groups dealing with the different indicators, as seen above. Finally, it is interesting to consider another framework based on a short typology of the European marine aquaculture, as specific productions may need a specific set of indicators. To demonstrate this, the impact of molluscs on the water quality is quite different from that of fin-fish aquaculture. 

The use of indicators: threshold and value
Indicators and Models
Final selection of indicators