Developing Science-Based Guidelines for Net Pen Siting and Feed Management Using Benthic Assimilative Capacity Models

Lead Applicant: Neil Rooney

Research Priority: Sustainable Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2026/2027

Research Centre: N/A

Research Summary: Finfish net-pen aquaculture releases organic waste, including fish feces and uneaten feed, into surrounding waters. Excessive waste buildup can reduce oxygen levels in sediments, harming the benthic invertebrates that help break down organic material and limiting the sustainable growth of Ontario’s aquaculture sector. This project will estimate how much waste different lake environments can safely assimilate before becoming oxygen-depleted. Researchers will monitor three Ontario fish farms with varying depths and water currents using sediment traps and invertebrate sampling, to measure organic loading and benthic community response. Results will support the development of feed quota guidelines to avoid organic overfeeding and site selection criteria for new farms.  This work will provide science-based tools for managing and expanding sustainable aquaculture in the Great Lakes, supporting both environmental protection and economic growth in Ontario’s agri-food sector.