


				Project Index

Code: SARF022
Title: Novel species risk to biodiversity assessment study: as discussed within the Scottsih Biodiversity Implementation Plans
Start Date: 5/1/06
End Date: 5/7/06
Main Contractor(s): Aquatonics Ltd.
Other Sponsor(s): Highland Council, Aquatonics Ltd.
Final Report - click here
Sample spreadsheet - click here

Objectives:

1.	Literature review and consultations with other experts
2.	Produce a detailed list of factors related to novel aquaculture species that may affect biodiversity
3.	Assess scale of each factor (eg metres, hundreds of metres, regional)
4.	Provide a weighting score for each factor, using a team of 4 people that includes marine biologists and aquaculture scientists
5.	Produce an Excel spreadsheet that will allow people to calculate an Index Score for each novel species.
6.	Obtain feedback from SARF and its members.
7.	Amend spreadsheet etc in the light of comments from SARF and its members
8.	After approval from SARF, disseminate results via Press Releases and the SARF web site.
9.	Submit paper to a relevant refereed journal.

Project Summary: This study will provide a protocol that regulatory bodies and the Scottish aquaculture industry can use to assess the likely impacts of novel species on biodiversity. These novel species will be native species that have not yet been used in aquaculture in Scotland and non-native species. The protocol and methods of assessment will be relevant to teleosts, elasmobranchs, invertebrates and seaweeds. SARF has already identified this as an area that it should fund. SARF funding will help the industry clearly differentiate between species that are of low, medium and high risk to biodiversity and could allow the focus of industry on species of relatively low risk.