Lampa Maria, Karakassis Ioannis, Langeneck Joachim, Rousou Maria, Apserou Chara, Chrysanthou Kyproula, Constantinou George, Kletou Demetris, Kleitou Periklis, Louizidou Paraskevi, Moraitis Manos L, Papadopoulos Vassilis, Patsalidou Maria, Petrou Antonis, Dimitriou Panagiotis D
Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece.
Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece.
Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Oct;219:118332. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118332. Epub 2025 Jun 26.
Fish farming in the Republic of Cyprus is carried out at offshore locations with mandatory, annual environmental impact monitoring conducted consistently in each fish farm, according to the national aquaculture legislative framework and following a state-mandated National Environmental Monitoring Protocol. This study aims to assess the findings of the implementation of the monitoring program over a 12-year period, by examining the variability of the benthic macrofaunal community and ecological quality status assessment through benthic indices across different factors. The results indicated that the classification by all indices was independent of the taxonomic variability from sample analysis, even if the community structure patterns varied significantly between the consultancies implementing the monitoring programs. The analysis from the combined benthic data showed that, unless specified by the presence of sensitive habitats, the effects were found to be at 50 m distance from the edge of the cages, since most indices revealed acceptable ecological quality at this distance. The BENTIX index, which is established under the Water Framework Directive and implemented within the context of the National Environmental Monitoring Protocol, highly correlated with all other indices. A cost-effective and taxonomic sufficient alternative is the BQI-Family index, since its thresholds are also calibrated for Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
塞浦路斯共和国的养鱼业在近海地区开展，根据国家水产养殖立法框架并遵循国家规定的《国家环境监测议定书》，每个养鱼场都要持续进行强制性年度环境影响监测。本研究旨在通过考察底栖大型动物群落的变异性以及通过不同因素的底栖指数进行生态质量状况评估，来评估为期12年的监测计划的实施结果。结果表明，所有指数的分类都与样本分析中的分类变异性无关，即使在实施监测计划的各咨询公司之间，群落结构模式存在显著差异。综合底栖数据的分析表明，除非有敏感栖息地存在，否则在距离网箱边缘50米处可发现影响，因为大多数指数在此距离显示生态质量可接受。根据《水框架指令》制定并在《国家环境监测议定书》范围内实施的BENTIX指数与所有其他指数高度相关。一种经济高效且分类充分的替代方法是BQI - 科指数，因为其阈值也是针对东地中海校准的。
