FOAM, the new benthic degradation model and its calibration in Mediterranean condition: an application to a fish farm

In fact, the aquaculture is the food production activity with the most rapid growth in the world, the latest data of FAO say that the 47 % of the consumed fish comes from farm, and in particular marine fish farm in intensive system. For this reason, the attention to the possible impact on the surrounding environment due to the aquaculture activities increases. In particular, the particulate waste, uneaten feed and faeces released by the cages, are the main cause of environmental impacts because the they increase the organic load of (on) the benthic environment and might determine changes in the community structure and functions and in the biodiversity of the benthic assemblages.