Comparative study of the impacts of fish cage culture on some environmental factors and Macrobenthic communities in offshore farms in the southern Caspian Sea

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects fish cage culture on Macrobenthic in southern Caspian Sea. Samples were collected two offshore farms with four floating polyethylene cages a production 60 tons for 5 months 2015. Sampling performed macrobenthos, physicochemical, and sediment January, March, May, August at depths shade, 50, 100, 1000 m three geographical directions (east, west, south) farm. analysis showed Hypaniola kowalewskii Streblospio gynobranchiata predominant, which resulted an unusual condition due effectiveness marine There linear relationship between environmental factors macrobenthos communities under RDA test water temperature most crucial factor density dominant species both farm sites. subjected conditions addition influence temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus compounds. This situation can be attributed hydrological studied area; low fish, short period farming, suitable depth established different flow directions.