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An aquaculture risk model to understand the causes and consequences of Atlantic Salmon mass mortality events: A review

Abstract

Mass mortality events (MMEs) are defined as the death of large numbers of fish over a short period of time. These events can result in catastrophic losses to the Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry and the local economy. However, they are challenging to understand because of their relative infrequency and the high number of potential factors involved. As a result, the causes and consequences of MMEs in Atlantic salmon aquaculture are not well understood. In this study, we developed a structural network of causal risk factors for MMEs for aquaculture and the communities that depend on Atlantic salmon aquaculture. Using the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) technique, we analysed the causes of Atlantic salmon mass mortalities due to environmental (abiotic), biological (biotic) and nutritional risk factors. The consequences of MMEs were also assessed for the occupational health and safety of aquaculture workers and their implications for the livelihoods of local communities. This structural network deepens our understanding of MMEs and points to management actions and interventions that can help mitigate mass mortalities. MMEs are typically not the result of a single risk factor but are caused by the systematic interaction of risk factors related to the environment, fish diseases, feeding/nutrition and cage-site management. Results also indicate that considerations of health and safety risk, through pre- and post-event risk assessments, may help to minimize workplace injuries and eliminate potential risks of human fatalities. Company and government-assisted socio-economic measures could help mitigate post-mass mortality impacts. Appropriate and timely management actions may help reduce MMEs at Atlantic salmon cage sites and minimize the physical and social vulnerabilities of workers and local communities.
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Category

Academic literature review

Language

English

Author(s)

  • Zaman Sajid
  • A. Kurt Gamperl
  • Christopher C. Parrish
  • Stefanie M. Colombo
  • Javier Santander
  • Charles Mather
  • Barbara Neis
  • Ingunn Marie Holmen
  • Ramón Filgueira
  • Cynthia H. McKenzie
  • Lissandra Souto Cavalli
  • Mohamed Jeebhay
  • Wenzhao Gao
  • María Andrée López Gómez
  • Cory Ochs
  • Sarah Lehnert
  • Cyr Couturier
  • Christine Knott
  • João F. Romero
  • Albert Caballero-Solares
  • Allan Cembella
  • Harry M. Murray
  • Ian A. Fleming
  • Joel Finnis
  • Mark D. Fast
  • Mark Wells
  • Gerald G. Singh

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Ocean / Fisheries and New Biomarine Industry
  • Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research
  • University of Cape Town
  • Canada
  • University of Victoria
  • Memorial University of Newfoundland
  • Dalhousie University
  • University of Prince Edward Island
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • USA
  • San Diego State University
  • University of Maine-Orono
  • Brazil

Year

2024

Published in

Reviews in Aquaculture

ISSN

1753-5123

Volume

16

Issue

4

Page(s)

1674 - 1695

View this publication at Norwegian Research Information Repository