Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences 5(2) 77-88 2019

Environmental and ecological considerations for orange- spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) cage culture in , based on GIS

Noory Balaneji M.1; Sourinejad I.1 *; Owfi F.2; Ghasemi Z.1

Received: May 2018 Accepted: September 2018

Abstract Statistics and all of that global governance the demand for its use in the den or tool is increasing rapidly. In , most of it in the areas of population away from the work of the twenty of the month and those of the other tool except it was not different items, due to the growth of public awareness and disseminating information about the properties in use of the tool and its use is growing. Fish in cage one of these measures more effective tool in the development of its reserves and the impact of these the efficiency of these proteins in human society is taking. The system of the location information into the database as a centralized access to, stored building, to update the facade of the use of different forms of static data and other dynamic made possible with the help of the technology and the technology of obtaining information such as the burning of the land in both the surveyor, satellite geodesy is, however, the photogrammetry, remote sensing away and it is the policy of the database, members of the information (cartographer of elevation and computer graphics) and is now one of the modes and methods of the information, today as a powerful tool in the process are the reference location data (points geographic) to raise the maximum. In this paper, the positioning of Epinephelus coioides (Orange-spotted grouper) in waters surrounding the southern Qeshm Island of forwarding an analysis model management (SWOT) and GIS.

Key words: Site selection, Cage culture, Orange-spotted Grouper, ecological assessment, GIS, Qeshm Island.

1-Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, University of Hormozgan, , Iran 2-Department of Aquatic Resources Ecology, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute (IFSRI), AREEO, , Iran. *Correspondence author: [email protected],

78 Noory Balaneji et al., Environmental and ecological considerations for orange-spotted grouper …

Introduction its fastest and most stable growth rate in The aquaculture involves the animal protein production in the world requirements, capacities and (FAO, 2015). In 2015, the production opportunities that their management of aquaculture has risen to 83.7 million ensures the success of the project. tons, including 20.97 million tons Aquaculture in cages is one of the most stench and 62.73 million tons of quantic effective measures for the development animals. Countries such as China, of aquifer stocks and the supply of Indonesia, India, Vietnam and marine protein consumed by the human Philippines are among the largest community, which has completely aquaculture producers (FAO, 2015). eroded its environmental disadvantages Iran's ranking among aquaculture in the coastal districts. Promotion of the producers was 21st in 2015 (FAO, aquaculture industry in marine cages 2015). can play an important role in creating In Iran, due to the growing employment and sustainable economies awareness of the public and the for our country's lowlanders (especially dissemination of information about the the lowlanders in the South of the properties of aquaculture, its country) as well as preserving aquatic consumption is increasing, but due to resources and provide a suitable the limitation of water resources in the solution for creating income, job interior water and the reduction of the creation and providing security on the catching of some marine species, the coast of our country. (Owfi, 2007). cultivation of fish and other marine fish At present, scientific efforts about has been introduced as a reliable and the promotion and rearing of marine cost-effective solution for provision of fish are focused on three axes (Owfi, required protein (Boryj, 2013). 2013). Aquaculture in the cage has In terms of diversity, 40 families of grown rapidly over the past 20 years fish are grown in cages, but only 6 and is currently undergoing rapid families of Salmonidae, Sparidae, changes in response to the pressures of Serranidae, Carangidae, Pangasiidae, globalization and growing demand for and Cichlidae account for 90% of the developed and developing countries total production, meanwhile (Owfi, 2014). According to the United Salmonidae family dedicate 66% of the Nations Food and Agriculture total production. Aquaculture systems Organization (FAO), the global in cages and pens compared to on-land aquaculture catch has reached a level activities face the challenge of having that cannot expect more production fewer options to make mistakes. In with the current method of stock cages and pens, if the Site selection is management, and on the other hand very exposed to storm and wave and the demand for fish and other seafood is water change is low or if its water increasing (FAO, 2015). quality is not suitable, much measure Over the past two decades, cannot be done. Based on the aquaculture has grown at around 8% of documentation and done researches, the Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences 5(2) 2019 79 most suitable aquaculture species in the ecological conditions of the studied cage for the southern waters of our area for the purpose of introducing E. country, Iran ( and coioides for aquaculture in marine Sea waters) which the studies on cages, determining the suitable areas for reproduction and growing and the establishment of marine cages will feasibility of introducing them into the done through hydro biological, marine cages system is ongoing. hydrography, geomorphology studies, Meanwhile, Epinephelus coioides by using geographic information system which are from the native fish of the (GIS) as an applied model in southern waters of the country, with a determining the suitable site selection significant economic value, are a good for deploying marine cages and option for cage aquaculture. The prioritizing and ranking the selected aquaculture in the past two decades has areas based on the (SWOT) been considered as one of the potential management analysis model. of aquaculture development, and, given Considering the fact that less than the general and climatic conditions and the recent decade, aquaculture the presence of some natural and human development has been taken into infrastructure, continues to be one of consideration in marine cages, it is the intact areas of development. evident that in the first step, the most Various types of E. coioides have important issue is the selection of been identified, most notably in terms suitable places for the deployment and of economic and cultivating, commonly development of marine resources and known as marine cages Epinephelus identifying the intended sites and coioides and the English name (Orange- determining and the priority of spotting spotted grouper), which are the most (site selection). The second step should dominant species in most aquaculture also assess the effects of development of marine cages Epinephelus coioides and aquaculture activities in the cage, countries of the world. This is a very which ultimately led to the presentation popular market place in the southern of an analytical report on the , and it is one of the assessment of impacts and the selection most important breeding grounds in the of suitable places with an emphasis on pool and marine cages. danger risk prioritization. This issue, in This research is aimed at identifying addition to the government's emphasis, suitable areas for aquaculture has been given particular attention to development and identifying suitable custodial organizations such as the places for the establishment of marine Environmental Protection Agency, the cages for E. coioides or orange-spotted Iranian Fisheries Organization and the grouper in the waters around the Qeshm Institute of Fisheries Research. Island, with an attitude on Therefore, considering the environmental considerations and the development of aquaculture in marine approach of aquaculture development. cages, the issue of selecting the In this regard, determining the appropriate station for cage deployment 80 Noory Balaneji et al., Environmental and ecological considerations for orange-spotted grouper … based on standard criteria for native sea quays of Qeshm Island are lack of species is of particular importance, suitable condition and, naturally, the which has less been dealt with so far relevant permit has not been issued due and accordingly, the usual E. coioides is to the lack of suitable environmental considered in this research. conditions, therefore, in this research, Identification of suitable places for the the waters around Qeshm Island in the establishment and deployment of South part of Island is highlighted in advanced marine cages for the purpose this study. of using the new technology with the least risk of destruction and destroy the Evaluation of site selection using by structure in Mahshahr Bay and Pastakia matrix rapid assessment Bahrakan Bay was evaluated according One of the most important stages of to the hydrological conditions of the Site selection studies is the analysis of area by the Southern Aquaculture information and data that should be Research Institute (2004). Based on the used by special models. The concept of documentation and background of the a rapid matrix was defined by Pastakia study, the proposed research has a in 1998. The rapid combined matrix noticeable innovation due to the methodology is one of the most enjoyment and utilization of new important criteria for evaluation. Semi- models of evaluation and research. quantitative values can be adjusted for each of these criteria to assign a valid Methodology and independent score for each Studied area situation. In the rapid matrix, we need The evaluation period of this research the elements and factors of the lasted 16 months and continued from environment and evaluation specific October 2016 to January 2017. The factors that are obtained through a studied area is Site selection in survey process. , the peripheral Each of these environmental elements waters of Qeshm Island. Considering is in one of the four physical / chemical that according to the presented groups (PCs): includes the physical and documentation provided by the Qeshm chemical aspects of the environment; Free Organization, the Environmental biological / ecological (BE): includes Protection Agency, the Iranian the biological, social / cultural aspects Fisheries Organization and the Institute (SC): includes the human aspects of of Fisheries Research in the northern environment, along with the cultural part of Qeshm Island, including the and, ultimately, economic / operational watershed of the Strait bay virtue of its aspects (EO): the economic factors of proximity to the protected area of the the environment change, whether international wetland, the geosite of the permanent or temporary. The forests, as well as the evaluation of criteria for management development region of industries and decision making in this matrix is the site of industrial towns and northern described in Table 1. Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences 5(2) 2019 81

Table 1: Evaluation of criteria for Fisheries Assessment through combined management decision making in the Pastakia rapid matrix. management analysis Decision making Quantitative Effect Strategic planning model (SWOT) criteria criterion description strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, No need for managerial actions 0-25 Low threats, are in fact a way of deciding (negligible( and choosing a solution and order in Need managerial 25-50 Average various affairs, and in the scientific measures Replacing malicious discussions is the series of decision 50-75 Much activities models which are designed to Invalid 75-100 Very much determine long-term or short-term

strategy, and to make major and key Preparation of information and decisions about different issues and drawing maps in the GIS system problems. This model can be designed Due to the variety of basic software of for a specific geographic area or topic information evaluation, ArcGIS 9.2 and problem that we are actually software was used for this information involved with, which is to determine in the geographical information system the strategy for improving performance in Iran. The purpose of this section is to or status. The SWOT analysis method prepare basic maps and document is a concise and useful analytical model ecological and environmental status by that systematically analyzes the using this software for geographical identified strengths, weaknesses, management and planning. The opportunities, and identified threats and geographical information system (GIS) reflects the appropriate strategy. and encrypted wide-spread systems This model consists of two internal facilitate data processing. GIS is also and external factor matrices. Internal effective in updating maps, counting factors related to weaknesses (W) and and tracking changes in a variety of strength (S) are a set or region or habitats. Using Excel software and subject and external factors related to GPSU 4.10, the geographic coordinates opportunities (O) and threats (T) are a of each region were entered and the unit region or system. In this method, the was converted to UTM for data entry process of the central analysis of these into the GIS system. In order to prepare factors is determined and evaluated by the map in the ArcGIS environment, the the process of the questionnaire, and ArcMap environment was first added to four types of strategy (aggressive, the required layers, then the layers were defensive, competitive and drawn based on the defined color conservative) are appointed and their scheme in the design system and in the status is determined on the axis. TIF outlet of the regions, and since two In the SWOT model, after distinct regions were identified, it was identifying the external and internal necessary to coordinate the distribution factors affecting the project, each factor and layers in the two regions in terms of is assigned a weight coefficient comparison. between zero (non-significant) to one 82 Noory Balaneji et al., Environmental and ecological considerations for orange-spotted grouper …

(very important), which sum of internal SO strategies. Confronting internal and factors and external factors should be 1, external factors and formulating WT, and to determine the weight of each SO, ST, WO strategies is one of the factors and decisions about the factors most difficult parts of the SWOT matrix of high or low importance are used by and needs to a high judge and analyze. experts and managers. The current In assessing if the final aggregate is status is a score of between 1 and 5, greater than 2.5, the strengths are which the scores determined according greater, and if the aggregate is less than to the current status of the region and 2.5, then the weaknesses are greater. A the environment and the ecological list of different strategies is developed conditions governing it. Weighted by using the SWOT matrix that scores are the result of multiplying the addresses the development and obtained weight in the current status improvement of environmental score. The strategies are achieved from management conditions and the the intersection of external and internal conditions of the region (Table 2). factors. This matrix leads to four categories of ST, WT, WO,

Table 2: Specification of measurable parameters for implementation of the present project. Grouping Data and Application Information Descriptions information Information and data and data Nutrition Fish species Recognizing the biological characteristics Collection of archival biology of the species documents Reproduction

Habitat environment Collecting archival Understanding the characteristics and Coastal - Substrate documents and structure of the habitat of the area Marine surveying information Beach slope

herbal Collection of archival Most biological Recognizing the dominant biodiversity of documents and field communities animal and vegetation groups Beast information surveys

Rainfall Climate and Collect archival Understanding the climate of the region weather Wind documents Collection of archival human Characteristics of human societies, social documents and field geography Socio-economic factors of the region information surveys

Results terms of water quality, proper depth and Coast of Hormozgan Province distance from the coast, kuhestak This province is very suitable for coastal areas, Lark Island (north + building a fish breeding in a cage, and northwest and northeast), Faro Island, polyethylene cages with resistance of 5 Qeshm Island (southeast), Faro Island, meters can be used. In this province, in Hondurabi Island, Chark, Gorzeh, Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences 5(2) 2019 83

Hosineh, Shirooyeh ports, , selection on the islands or some Javad Alaemeh port suitable for fish beaches. Overall, with the studies breeding in cages. conducted by the environmental Physical and chemical properties of organization, the closer to the west water in the Persian Gulf towards the , the Salinity percentage of fine grains in the bed  Average annual salinity is 39.88 ppt sediments increases as it reaches the  Average salinity at water level is maximum in the Strait of Hormuz. 67/39 ppt Based on the measurements, the  The average salinity at a depth is 1 / percentage of particles smaller than 63 40ppt microns in sediments in the south of  Minimum salinity in spring is 7 / Hormoz Island is mature to 100 percent 38ppt of the total bedding sediment. The bed  Maximum salinity in summer is 1 / structure is within the scope of the Fish 40ppt breeding scheme in the cage of the mud  Changes ranged from 4 to 1.8 mg / L type. The wave characteristics along the  Lowest range of changes in autumn between 3 and 5/5 mg / L coast of the province in positions A to Q are presented in the following way.  Maximum amount of oxygen related To explain the characteristics of the to the depth layer is 10 to 30 m waves in this range, it is possible to Relatively high levels in deep layers divide the coast of the province into during the year except for relative three parts of the western coast reduction in autumn (positions A to F), the Strait of Hormuz Generally, the concentration of or the middle beaches (G to M nutrients in the northern part (coast of positions) and the eastern coasts (N to Iran) of the Persian Gulf is richer than Q) made within the Strait of Hormuz or the southern part (the Arabian coast). the middle shores, between 65 and 79 The main reasons for this situation can percent of the year is in a quiet area. be the higher rainfall on the northern The dominant wave direction on the coast than the southern shores, as well western side of the Strait of Hormuz is as the sea currents. 2447 degrees and in the eastern part of

the Strait of Hormoz is 270 degrees and Sediment its frequency varies from 4 to 22 Sediment is distinguished in the percent of the year. The dominant northern part along the coasts of Iran elevation is between 0.5 and 1 m, which towards its southern part. While the occurs between 16% and 32% of the northern part of Bed Gender is more year. muddy and fine-grained, it is a southern part of sandy or a mixture of fine grains Wind and coarse grains. Parts of the sea bed The wind profile on the coast of are covered with coral beds Site Hormozgan province is based on 84 Noory Balaneji et al., Environmental and ecological considerations for orange-spotted grouper …

ECMWF results. Wind in the province dominated by 244.5 degrees and occurs of Hormozgan mainly flows northwest, at 85.8% of the year. The maximum west and southwest. At the beginning of wind speed is 19 m / s and the winds the western coast of the province, it was are 15 to 17.5 m / s at 11.1% of the 315 degrees above the wind and it year. gradually rotated toward the The wind currents in the area include southeastern part of the Strait of four types of wind blowing as follows: Hormuz towards 245.5 degrees. The • North wind: The wind that flows wind speed is from 5 up to 7.5 m / s and northwest as it flows during the varies between 16% and 24% of the summer and during the winter; the time of the year. In this area, wind speed is also reported in the considering the wind speed (less than 5 summer to 153 km / h. This wind is a m / s) as a condition of slow, between source of sandstorms in the region. 65 and 78 percent of the year, the • Arctic wind: This wind, which is the weather conditions of the region are southeast of the south, is usually calm. accompanied by a cold wind. In the G position (southwest of Sea Breeze: usually created along the Qeshm island - Solkh port), the weather coast. conditions of the region are calm in • Windy winds: Wind currents in the 66.96% of the year. In 10.3 percent of Western Sea that include the the year, the wind is dominated by southwestern magnesium flows during 244.5 degrees. The maximum wind the summer and northwest in the speed is 15 to 17.5 m / s, which occurs winter. at 0.19% of the year. Also, in 0.8 The above mentioned winds percent of the year, the winds run at a constitute the winds of Qeshm Island. speed of 12.5 to 15 meters per second, According to the meteorological station but the maximum wind speed is about of Qeshm Island, the dominant wind in 19.6 m/s. the region is more affected by the north In the H position (Sousa and the wind. Generally, the winds of the Mosen ports), the weather conditions of Qeshm Island are mostly northwest, and the region are calm in 79.79% of the the winter season is the highest year. The wind direction is 244.5 percentage of time of occurrence of the degrees and it occurs at 28.9 percent of speed and the maximum duration of the the year. The maximum wind speed is wind in the region, the western winds 15 to 17.5 m / s, which occurs at 19.1% may last for 5 days or more and within of the year. Also, in 0.8 percent of the 24 hours or Most will reach a stormy year, the wind speeds from 12.5 to 15 stage. The northwest winds usually start meters per second, but the maximum at noon, and in the afternoon the speed wind speed is about 19.4 m / s. increases and decreases at the In I position (Ramchah) the weather beginning of the evening, due to the conditions in the region are calm in windy winds in the summer, they tend 73.27% of the year. The wind is Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences 5(2) 2019 85 to be more oriented towards the south Table 4 continued: east due to winds in the summer. 6.4 6.4 6.1 315 NW 5/292 3.5 5 9.1 WNW Wave 6.5 3.5 1. 2 270 W The information and statistics obtained from the Portland project reports Table 5: Specifications of waves in the dough port. calculated by various consultants in Wave Wave Wave Year Period / Bandar Basaeedov, Bandar Solek and height direction Seconds are presented in the 1 4 9.0 60 following tables. The calculations 25 5.4 2.1 60 100 7.4 3.1 60 carried out at Basaeedov port for a 25- 1 4.4 7.0 90 year return period show that waves with 25 8.4 5.1 90 a height of 3.1 to 2.5 meters with a 100 5 2.1 90 period of 1.4 to 5.9 seconds that are related to the north, northeastern and The tide on the coasts of Qeshm, and western directions. In the port of Solek, like other parts of the Persian Gulf, is a with a 25-year return period, waves mixture of the Diurnal and Semidiurnal with a height of 2 to 4 meters with a tidal patterns. The tidal fluctuations in period of 24.5 to 7.83 seconds. In the Persian Gulf range from 1.4 meters Bandar-Khemir, waves have a height of in Qatar to more than 3 meters in the between 0.7 to 1.3 meters with a period northwest of the Persian Gulf. The of 4 to 5 seconds and are related to the amplitude of the fluctuations will be directions of 60 and 90 degrees. (Tables higher if the wind amplitude is 3 to 5). accompanied by wind (Fig. 1). The tidal

Table 3: Specifications of the waves in the slopes on the coasts of Qeshm Island Solkh fishing port with a 25-year are 94.2 m and on the island at about return period. 1.8 m. Because of the maximum flow Wave period / Wave Wave seconds height direction of tidal water from the Strait of 83.5 38.2 120 Hormuz, its dependent stream of speed 73.5 57.2 150 24.5 05.2 180 may reach more than one meter per 46.7 52.3 210 second in the Strait of Hormuz, whereas 83.7 03.4 240 this figure in the canals between the

islands and regions may range from Table 4: Specifications of waves in the port of Basaeedou port with the return about 0.3 to 0.4 m / s Reduced. The period of 25 years. figure below shows the classification of Wave Wave Wave Wave Period / Period / the tide type in the study area. height direction Seconds Seconds 2.6 9.5 5.2 5/67 ENE 6.5 3.5 2.2 45 NE 9.4 7.4 7.1 5/22 NNE 6.4 6.4 5.1 360 N 5/337 3.4 1.4 3.1 NNW 86 Noory Balaneji et al., Environmental and ecological considerations for orange-spotted grouper …

the creation of safe coastal zones.Therefore, due to the high confidence coefficient of the region's evaluation through the PASTAKIA presented model and the combined matrix method, gave high points to these areas. This criterion and score in the group is average effect description

Figure 1: Classification of the tide type in the and quantitative criterion of 25 -50, study area. which in terms of decision making and action requires the observance of Discussion and conclusion management principles. It is obvious Based on a series of done studies about that the operation and deployment of the geomorphologic features of the coastal and maritime structures coastal area and hydrographic of the essentially have such a feature (Table studied area, which are presented and 6). explained in the previous sections, it is Also, the study of high risk areas in clear that the intended areas include the the Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf, southern coastal area of Qeshm Island which is affected by inappropriate in the western part, as well as the features with high risk marine pollution, marine area of the island at appropriate indicates that the study area is Site and environmentally safe Site selection, selection in the boundary of the habitat which done measures will be successful security, which the main reason for this in terms of deploying cage systems with problem including isolated respect to scientific management. The environments – sea isolated Sea in the above result is consistent with the Deyrestan Gulf and especially in the information provided by previous western part of Qeshm Island. On the groups and consulting engineers other hand, the presence of permanent regarding Site selection. On the other and constant populations of dolphins hand, in spite of being in the special could also confirm the high marine zone due to the interference of the environmental status of the area as a waters and surface flows from the unique coastal safe harbor, which Oman Sea through the Hormuz Strait describes the marine habitat of the with deep outflows from the area to the marine mollusks - dolphins, which are Oman Sea Among the strait islands that closely related to the proper habitat are oligo-marine and hydrographic due conditions of the region. to Site selection disruption. The unique Table 6 :Final Evaluation of the criteria for Site selection and coastal security of the management decision making of cage systems. area have made it suitable for Criteria for Quantitative Describe sustenance systems for breeding cages decision making criterion the effect due to its being Site selection between Needing of management 25-50 medium the islands, the small coastal gulf and measures Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences 5(2) 2019 87

At the end, the most important features topographic maps of the substrate, and indicators of environmental surface and subsurface currents, security of the study's area can be protected areas or natural habitats, presented as follows: military areas, fishing exploitation, - Proper view of the surface water flow , marine waterways, the caused by wind Rose and proper speed boundaries of the rivers, the quays and of surface waves the developing range for sea cages in - Suitable surface temperature and air terms of distance from the coast, the temperature above the surface of the depth of the area, temperature changes, water dissolved oxygen status, intensity of - Good water clarity and lack of waves, the status of the currents of the turbidity sea and eventually overlapping of all - Non-adjacency with critical areas of maps can be found in the most delta and sedimentary beaches and appropriate area. sediment performance of permanent According to the materials presented and Flood Rivers in the report, the geographic Site - Lack of coastal flows - Rip current selection and coordinates of the - Appropriate depth (more than 1.5 m) proposed sites for the development of and water exchange conditions in the aquaculture in marine cages are as desired sea area follows: - The lack of access to and the lack of - Western site: Solkh – Kargah: 26° communication with the industrial areas 40´-26° 37´ and 55° 45´-55° 41´ and focal and non-focal factors. - Central site: Deyrestan: 26° 44´-26° 37´ and 55° 45´-55° 46´ Recommended sites for development of - Eastern site: Mosen – Shibderaz: 26° aquaculture in sea cages (Qeshm area) 44´-26° 42´ and 56° 02´-55° 58´ Since there are many factors have effect on choosing the Site selection of cage References deployment: Boryj, M. 2013. Aquaculture in cages, Distance from the coast, depth A B, (translated by Abdolhamid Yazdani wind conditions in the area, wave Jahromi), pages 55-57. height, the route of the ships, the status FAO, 2015. Cage aquaculture: of bed topography, Bed gender, river Regional reviews and global mud pollution, the speed and direction overview. FAO, Fisheries and of the see flows and pollutions, which, Aquaculture Department, Rome. of course, the geographic information Owfi, F., 2013. Analytical Report system (GIS) can be used to select the Choosing the Right Place for most suitable development areas for Establishing Fish Farming Systems marine cages. By overlapping the map in the Cluster, Fisheries Research of different uses in one area, it is Institute of Fisheries, Tehran, pages possible to determine the appropriate 1 to 38.South Asia aquaculture range. Therefore, by providing Research Institute 2004 Investigating 88 Noory Balaneji et al., Environmental and ecological considerations for orange-spotted grouper …

the possibility of raising Hamur fish appropriate Site selection for the in floating cages, Southern establishment of fish breeding cages, aquaculture research institute, Research Institute for Fisheries Khouzestan-, pages 42-50. Sciences, Tehran, pages 13-46. Owfi, F., 2014. Application of the system (GIS) to select the