ECOLOGICAL CRITERIA USED TO HELP SITE FISH FARMS IN FJORDS

We reviewed the biological and oceanographic data used to help decide on the siting of salmon farms in Canada (British Columbia and New Brun swick), Norway, Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, United States (Washington and Maine). The LENKA program in Norway and a ranking technique based on biophysical features in British Columbia are examples of semi-quant itative approaches. A zoning system partially based on detailed data o n fjord oceanography has been initiated in Scotland. Guidelines to pro tect critical fish habitat, especially for wild salmon, have been deve loped in each of the jurisdictions. Models to help predict sedimentati on, hypernutrification, and dissolved oxygen levels have been used in Norway and Washington. Siting criteria need to be supplemented with th ese models, which consider cumulative effects and predict the carrying capacity of key fjord areas where farms are likely to cluster. Coordi nated and comprehensive research programs are needed which consider sa lmon production in the context of the oceanographic regimes within fjo rds. For site-specific evaluations and as communication methods, refer ral systems and guidelines are relied on extensively in site evaluatio ns in the various jurisdictions.