Ecological Impacts of Mussel Farm Ring-Fenced Coastlines
eCoast developed a desktop summary of the cumulative ecological impact of mussel farms ring-fencing coastlines.
The Pelorus Boating Club and the Keneperu and Central Sounds Residents Association commissioned eCoast Marine Consulting and Research to develop a desktop summary of the current level of science and understanding of the cumulative ecological impact of mussel farms ring-fencing coastlines such as Beatrix Bay. In particular, historical reports on the ecological effects of aquaculture in the area were reviewed in order to determine whether information gaps include any impact of mussel farms on the indigenous ecosystems in the inter-tidal and sub-tidal areas inshore of marine farm ribbons. In addition, whether this continuous ribbon of mussel farms circumnavigating Beatrix Bay was likely or at least probable to be having a detrimental effect on the indigenous ecosystems within them.
