Mariculture AquaModel

Commercial Use

AquaModel with full benthic and water column components can be readily applied to perform site performance simulation of a fish farm site. We are interested in bringing AquaModel to your operation, specializing it to fit your site-specific needs and customizing our software interface to assist your operational management.

Here are some of our recent commercial applications:

Strait of Juan de Fuca NOAA study

The nutrient, plankton and oxygen flux portions of the model were applied to a fast-flushing, open-ocean like site in the Strait of Juan de Fuca as part of a feasibility study.  The benthic submodel was not used as current velocity averaged >30 cm/s (over ½ knot) that would prevent any permanent sedimentation effects.  Background nitrogen levels (DIN) were so high from oceanic upwelling year round that no effects of phytoplankton biomass were predicted or possible. Read Here for details of application in this fast fluxing, nutrient insensitive waterway. 

Study area locations in western Strait (offshore of Neah Bay, central Strait (offshore of Whiskey Creek), Eastern Strait (offshore of Green Point to Morse Creek) and reference station at Cypress Island in North Puget Sound. Base figure from Thomson 1981, used with permission

Puerto Rico Cobia study

AquaModel with full benthic and water column components was applied to site performance simulation of a  cobia (Rachycentron canadum) farm site on the coastal shelf of Eastern Puerto Rico.  The site is planned for use with SeaStation submerged cages and cobia, a fast-growing and valuable native fish.  Site-specific current meter and other information along with a cobia physiology submodel were used to estimate the extent of effects.  Mean and extreme current velocity was only moderate but current direction over long periods was highly variable allowing for good dispersion and organic waste assimilation. Protection of distant coral reefs and other habitats of significance was a priority. Learn moreabout this study.