Reducing carbon emissions in aquaculture: Using Carbon Disclosures to identify unbalanced mitigation strategies

The production of Scottish Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) involves a global supply chain with greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted at every step. With the UK government setting a net zero target by 2050, and the Scottish Government having committed to achieving net zero by 2045, the Scottish salmon aquaculture sector now needs to start to develop and implement comprehensive emissions reductions measures. The methods demonstrated here and the identified imbalances in carbon emissions mitigation strategies provide a route to support this process. We use two international aquaculture operators in Scotland, Grieg Seafood and Mowi, as case studies to understand the scale of GHG emissions in the industry, how these compare to mitigation strategies, and where reduction efforts should be focused. Environmental data disclosed to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), which includes in-depth breakdowns of GHG emissions in Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 categories were used for the first time in this comparison. This was contrasted with interview data from academics, industry experts and NGOs to identify routes to the most effective mitigation and reduction strategy. CDP data successfully identify imbalances between GHG emissions and mitigation strategies, and demonstrate that while Scope 1 emissions in Scottish aquaculture operations are high compared to other countries, Scope 3 emissions represent the majority of emissions. In terms of mitigation, Scope 1 and Scope 2 strategies are adequate, but Scope 3 mitigation strategies do not match the scale of emissions, identifying a potential route for future carbon emission reductions

Ecohydrodynamics of Cold-Water Coral Reefs:A Case Study of the Mingulay Reef Complex (Western Scotland)

Ecohydrodynamics investigates the hydrodynamic constraints on ecosystems across different temporal and spatial scales. Ecohydrodynamics play a pivotal role in the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems, however the lack of integrated complex flow models for deep-water ecosystems beyond the coastal zone prevents further synthesis in these settings. We present a hydrodynamic model for one of Earth's most biologically diverse deep-water ecosystems, cold-water coral reefs. The Mingulay Reef Complex (western Scotland) is an inshore seascape of cold-water coral reefs formed by the scleractinian coral Lophelia pertusa. We applied single-image edge detection and composite front maps using satellite remote sensing, to detect oceanographic fronts and peaks of chlorophyll a values that likely affect food supply to corals and other suspension-feeding fauna. We also present a high resolution 3D ocean model to incorporate salient aspects of the regional and local oceanography. Model validation using in situ current speed, direction and sea elevation data confirmed the model's realistic representation of spatial and temporal aspects of circulation at the reef complex including a tidally driven current regime, eddies, and downwelling phenomena. This novel combination of 3D hydrodynamic modelling and remote sensing in deep-water ecosystems improves our understanding of the temporal and spatial scales of ecological processes occurring in marine systems. The modelled information has been integrated into a 3D GIS, providing a user interface for visualization and interrogation of results that allows wider ecological application of the model and that can provide valuable input for marine biodiversity and conservation applications

Scotland as a case study for how benefits of marine ecosystem services may contribute to the commercial fishing industry

In July 2015, Scotland became one of the first countries to sign up to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which, unlike their forerunner the Millennium Development Goals, are not restricted to developing nations. Their respective targets should drive policy decisions for Scottish fisheries, in keeping with the universal intent of the new goals. This paper explores the relevance of SDG 14 to the Scottish fishing industry, noting that there are a number of linkages with other goals and targets that should be considered within management frameworks. Scottish fishing has a long history, but the size of the inshore fleet has seen decline in recent decades, particularly of small-scale fishers in rural communities. Available literature was reviewed and a survey of active Scottish fishers conducted to explore the current availability and equality of distribution of benefits from ecosystem services to Scottish fisheries, and the factors that affect them. The findings suggest that benefits may not currently be equally distributed across Scottish fisheries; this is largely sector dependent and driven by market forces, but also relates to gaps in current management and monitoring systems. Furthermore, the potential benefits to fisheries of marine protected areas (MPAs) established for conservation purposes are not adequately assessed as part of their design, which may result in less support from fisheries stakeholders and reduce the benefit to ecosystem services. It concludes with some recommendations for consideration by decision-makers to improve how fishing businesses and communities could benefit more from ecosystem services whilst operating within environmental limits