Summary
This paper presents FYNE, a novel integrated bio-physical model designed to optimise aquaculture systems by simultaneously linking farm operational decisions (feed composition and site selection) with both product nutritional quality and environmental impact. The model uniquely couples an IMTA ecosystem model with fatty acid dynamics and new submodels for salmon feed digestibility and mussel ingestion, enabling prediction of omega-3 content and eutrophication footprint across monoculture and IMTA production systems. Application to a Scottish IMTA farm demonstrates the model's utility in informing feed and siting decisions whilst managing environmental nutrient deposition.
Regional applicability
This study was conducted in Scotland, United Kingdom, using a Scottish IMTA farm as the case study application. The findings are directly applicable to UK aquaculture policy and practice, particularly in supporting the transition toward more integrated and sustainable production systems and informing regulatory decisions on feed composition and farm site management.
Key measures
Omega-3 fatty acid content (DHA and EPA), nitrogen and carbon concentrations, farm biomass production, environmental eutrophication footprint, feed digestibility
Outcomes reported
The study presents the FYNE model, which links farm operational choices (feed composition and siting) with nutritional value (omega-3 fatty acids) and environmental eutrophication footprint in Atlantic salmon and blue mussel production under both monoculture and IMTA conditions. Application to a Scottish IMTA farm demonstrates predictions of changes in DHA, EPA, and nitrogen/carbon concentrations in response to feed composition variations.
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