Localized effects of offshore aquaculture on water quality in a tropical sea

Aquaculture production has increased steadily in many tropical countries over the past few decades, although impact assessments have been frequently neglected. We investigated impacts of an offshore barramundi fish farm on water quality southern-central Red Sea, a traditionally understudied tropical, oligotrophic, and semi-enclosed basin. Inorganic nutrients, particulate matter, chlorophyll-a, heterotrophic bacteria were measured periodically 8 months around farm. Water down-current from had, average, more chlorophyll-a than up-current (11% 34% higher, respectively). Ratios dissolved inorganic nitrogen:phosphorus lower ratios (mean 9.8 vs 16.0, Phosphate, nitrogen, matter showed patterns enrichment associated with after feeding event. Strategies such as feed optimization considering hydrodynamics site selection may improve for future farms Saudi Arabia other countries.