Environmental Interactions

Explore the interactions between salmon farming and the environment

Photo credit: Olivia Johnson

Environmental interactions describes the relationship between salmon farms and the local environments they inhabit.

Growing fish in cages where they are in direct contact with the external waterbody has the potential for a number of environmental and ecological interactions. Dissolved and particulate waste products will be lost to the environment and can be a source of nutrients to local flora and fauna.

Like other infrastructure in our marine and coastal systems, the farm infrastructure may both influence the hydrodynamics and provide habitat for a range of species.

It is important to understand these interactions (the biology and processes) in order to ensure farming activities are sustainable and that monitoring and management activities are risk appropriate. This is a key element of our research activities.

Click one of the 'interaction' tiles to the right for a more detailed overview of the current understanding of potential interactions between key coastal habitats and salmon farming.

The infographic shown below highlights some of the key relationships we have been working on in the Salmon Interactions Team.