ORCID

Abstract

As the mussel farming industry moves offshore, there is a need to fill evidence gaps on its ecological impacts. Over eight years, this research presents the results of a long-term monitoring study of the UK’s first large scale offshore mussel farm following a BACI (Before-After Control-Impact) approach to evaluate the temporal and spatial effects of the farm on benthic habitat and epibenthic species assemblages. Situated in historical fishing ground, the farm is located on a degraded seabed ecosystem dominated by soft sediment. After seven years of farming, damaged seabed increased its complexity, with biogenic reef being created (30 % increase). The structure is attracting a significantly increasing diversity and abundance of sessile, sedentary and mobile species to the area compared to control sites. The abundance and diversity of commercial species increased compared to far control sites and certain commercial species were exclusively recorded beneath the mussel headlines: Cancer pagurus, Maja squinado and Necora puber. Results are discussed through a three mechanisms framework: Species recruitment, settlement, and subsidy. Results from this study are crucial to support policymakers develope a sustainable offshore industry as part of the blue economy that can both produce sustainable protein and contribute to marine conservation objectives as ‘other effective area-based conservation measures’ (OECM). This study reports how low-trophic farming can support nature restoration and recovery.

Publication Date

2024-10-08

Publication Title

Ecological Indicators

Volume

167

ISSN

1872-7034

Acceptance Date

2024-10-04

Deposit Date

2024-10-09

Funding

We thank Offshore Shellfish Ltd. for funding the PhD that has led to this article and Lyme Regis fishers John Walker, Robert King and Kieran Perree as well as University of Plymouth staff for fieldwork assistance. Special thanks to Dr Danielle Bridger. Methodology designed by LL.M-C, E.V.S, P.H and M.J.A. Conceptualization by LL.M-C with supervision by E.V.S, P.H and M.J.A. Investigation by LL.M-C and E.V.S. Video analysis and data curation by LL.M-C. Formal analysis by LL.M-C. The manuscript was written by LL.M-C with review and editing by LL.M-C, E.V.S, P.H and M.J.A. This work is part of LL.M-C's PhD which was funded by Offshore Shellfish Ltd. This work is part of LL.M-C\u2019s PhD which was funded by Offshore Shellfish Ltd .

Keywords

biogenic reef, conservation, ecology, mussel farm, mussel clump, OECM, fishing, biodiversity, Biogenic reef, Conservation, Ecology, Fishing, Mussel farm, Mussel clump

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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