Benthic primary producers - A neglected environmental problem in Mediterranean maricultures?

Marianne Holmer*, Marta Pérez, Carlos M. Duarte

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

Marine fish farming is increasing rapidly in the Mediterranean and in contrast to the Atlantic the coastal zone in the Mediterranean is characterized by clear waters with high transparency. This allows benthic primary producers such as the slow-growing seagrass Posidonia oceanica to grow at large depths at locations suitable for fish farming and generating a conflict between the conservation of these meadows and the growth of aquaculture operations in the Mediterranean. In this paper we review the current knowledge on environmental interactions between fish farming and benthic primary producers with particular focus on P. oceanica, as this seagrass is a key component along Mediterranean coasts. The recovery times of P. oceanica are very long, in the order of centuries, and losses of this species are thus considered to be irreversible at managerial time scales.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1372-1376
Number of pages5
JournalMarine pollution bulletin
Volume46
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aquaculture
  • Mediterranean
  • Posidonia
  • Seagrass

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oceanography
  • Aquatic Science
  • Pollution

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