Managing the rearing of Tapes philippinarum in the lagoon of Venice: a decision support system

The paper illustrates a multicriteria approach for the rational choice of t he areas to be dedicated to extensive aquaculture in a coastal bah;in. Area s are selected by combining spatial information, such as healthiness and de pth, with the results of a 3D model, which simulates the dynamics of the pr imary production and that of the species to be reared. The approach has bee n applied to the rearing of the bivalve Tapes philippinarum in the lagoon o f Venice. The areas more suitable for rearing activities have been identifi ed, and the relation between yield and seeding density is discussed. (C) 20 01 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.