The continued growth of marine aquaculture will depend upon keeping its effects on the environment within given limits. Such effects include the spread of disease and the transfer of genetic material from escaped animals to wild animals. In order to determine the acceptable levels of these environmental effects, we need to have a better understanding of ecological interactions. CDCF’s network include multidisciplinary expertise that has more than 20 years of experience and the facilities needed to further develop this knowledge. Studies of the ecological effects of aquaculture are one of our priorities.
We do:
- Environmental impact assessment for marine fisheries and aquaculture
- Mapping of vulnerable areas – thematic maps
- Development of monitoring system for pollution on land and sea; regionally and locally
- Developing national analytical facilities/laboratories
- Discharge regulations advice (elimination or substitution of harmful chemicals)
Oil/Fish/Environment
The increased development of offshore petroleum fields and increasing sea transport are bound to have a negative effect on the environment. The fast growing petroleum industry all over the world represents an enormous challenge for the national and regional managers. There is a concern for the impact for the marine living resources. IMR is studying and developing the knowledge about short and long term effects of petroleum activities on the marine organisms and environment. This includes impact from oil spills, chemical waste and pollution, release of produced water and the impact from seismic activities. We also develop national environmental monitoring plans for offshore petroleum activities. These plans give the authorities a tool to identify the source of a discovered pollution and take actions to reduce the discharge of harmful substances.
The oil/fish activities initially started aiming to offer our cooperating partners Norwegian experience in solving conflicts between the traditional fishery and a growing marine petroleum sector. The activities involves many Norwegian institutions: CDCF, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) and The Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket). A pilot project has started in Angola.
Climate
Climate change can have significant effects on marine ecosystems. Species composition may be altered, and the growth, migration patterns and distribution of fish species may be affected. An increase in the seawater temperature, for example, could lead to some species extending their grazing grounds, while new species might move into the area. We know little about how the balance of the ecosystem could be affected when new species are introduced in this way; this is one of our big challenges. IMR has been monitoring the evolution of the climate in Norwegian marine regions since the 1920s and tropical seas since 1975 through regular surveys of temperature, currents and salinity. Our Oceanography and Climate research group is responsible for this monitoring and is studying the effects of climate on the marine ecosystems. The Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research puts these efforts into a wider context, thus contributing to our understanding of global and regional climate change.
