THEME SECTION Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) in Sanggou Bay, China Idea: J. Fang Editors: T. Dempster, M. Holmer, P. Cranford, S. Dworjanyn, S. Lefebvre, S. Mirto Fang J, Zhang J, Xiao T, Huang D, Liu S Chang Y, Zhang J, Qu J, Jiang Z, Zhang R INTRODUCTION: Integrated multi-trophic aqua- Influence of mariculture on the distribution of culture (IMTA) in Sanggou Bay, China ………………… 201–205 dissolved inorganic selenium in Sanggou Bay, northern China ..…………………………………………… 247–260 Mahmood T, Fang J, Jiang Z, Zhang J Carbon and nitrogen flow, and trophic relationships, Zhao L, Zhao Y, Xu J, Zhang W, Huang L, among the cultured species in an integrated multi- Jiang Z, Fang J, Xiao T trophic aquaculture (IMTA) bay ………………………… 207–219 Distribution and seasonal variation of pico- plankton in Sanggou Bay, China ..……………………… 261–271 Ning Z, Liu S, Zhang G, Ning X, Li R, Jiang Z, Fang J, Zhang J Zhang J, Wu W, Ren JS, Lin F Impacts of an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture A model for the growth of mariculture kelp system on benthic nutrient fluxes: a case study in Saccharina japonica in Sanggou Bay, China .………… 273–283 Sanggou Bay, China .……………………………………… 221–232 Li R, Liu S, Zhang J, Jiang Z, Fang J Kang X, Liu S, Ning X Sources and export of nutrients associated with Reduced inorganic sulfur in sediments of the integrated multi-trophic aquaculture in Sanggou mariculture region of Sanggou Bay, China …………… 233–246 Bay, China ....................................................................... 285–309 Vol. 8: 201–205, 2016 AQUACULTURE ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS Published April 19 doi: 10.3354/aei00179 Aquacult Environ Interact Contribution to the Theme Section ‘Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) in Sanggou Bay, China’ OPEN ACCESS INTRODUCTION Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) in Sanggou Bay, China Jianguang Fang1,2,*, Jing Zhang3, Tian Xiao4,5, Daji Huang6, Sumei Liu7,8 1Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Marine Fisheries Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, 266071 Qingdao, PR China 2Function Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 266237 Qingdao, PR China 3State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, PR China 4Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology & Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 266071 Qingdao, PR China 5Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 266237 Qingdao, PR China 6State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, 310012 Hangzhou, PR China 7Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ocean University of China/ Qingdao Collaborative Innovation Center of Marine Science and Technology, 266100 Qingdao, PR China 8Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 266237 Qingdao, PR China ABSTRACT: Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) involves the farming of species from different trophic positions or nutritional levels in the same system. In China, IMTA has been prac- ticed for many decades, with dozens of species farmed in close proximity to each other at the scale of whole coastal bays. Articles in this Theme Section present results from the MoST-China Project on ‘Sustainability of Marine Ecosystem Production under Multi-stressors and Adaptive Manage- ment’ (2011−2015). This project sought to understand the interactions between biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem function in the IMTA system of Sanggou Bay, China, which produces a total of >240 000 t of seafood each year from >30 species in approximately 100 km2 of production space. Results include measurements of carbon, nitrogen flow and trophic relationships among cultured species; impacts of IMTA on benthic nutrient fluxes, reduced inorganic sulfur in sediments, distri- bution of dissolved inorganic selenium, and nutrient cycling; distribution and seasonal variation of picoplankton; and a model for kelp growth. Combined, the articles enable a complex understand- ing of the dynamics between IMTA and the environment in one of the most important coastal aquaculture production systems in the world. KEY WORDS: Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture · Sanggou Bay · Biogenic elements · Ecological aquaculture Introduction ment.org). Marine aquaculture is increasingly seen as an alternative to fishing to provide a growing human In the ‘Millennium Ecosystem Assessments’ of the population with high-quality protein. Aquaculture of United Nations, climate, water, food, and health were high value species (e.g. fish in cages) relies on external identified as critical issues that need to be considered food supplies and has a negative impact on water qual- in adaptive ecosystem-based management plans to ity. Culture of seaweeds, which can reduce nutrient sustain human well-being (www.millenniumassess- loadings to the environment from fish aquaculture, has © The authors 2016. Open Access under Creative Commons by *Corresponding author: [email protected] Attribution Licence. Use, distribution and reproduction are un - restricted. Authors and original publication must be credited. Publisher: Inter-Research · www.int-res.com 202 Aquacult Environ Interact 8: 201–205, 2016 not been attractive in many countries as algal products 163 km2 bay area are used for aquaculture, pro - typically have a low value. However, combining differ- ducing >240 000 t of seafood per year (China Bay ent species in aquaculture systems could provide more Records Compiling Committee 1991, Liu et al. 2014). profit and have concomitant ecological benefits. More than 30 important aquaculture species, includ- In 2011, the Ministry of Science and Technology ing kelp, scallops, oysters, abalone and sea cucum- (MoST) of China launched a 5 yr research project on bers, are grown using various culturing methods ‘Sustainability of marine ecosystem production under such as long-lines, cages, bottom sowing and multi-stressors and adaptive management’ (MEco- enhancement, pools in the intertidal zone, and tidal PAM; MoST Grant No. 2011CB409800). The project flat culture (Zhang et al. 2007). addressed the following questions: (1) What are the The concept of IMTA was coined in 2004 and refers impacts of multi-stressors on biogeochemical cycles to the incorporation of species from different trophic in coastal ecosystems? (2) How do ecosystem func- positions or nutritional levels in the same system tions in the hypoxic zone of the East China Sea (Chopin & Robinson 2004). However, IMTA has been respond to multi-stressors? (3) What adaptive strate- successfully practiced in Sanggou Bay since the late gies are possible for coastal aquaculture systems with 1980s (Fang et al. 1996). There are several IMTA multi-stressors? modes in Sanggou Bay (Fig. 2), with benefits at the Implementation of MEcoPAM’s research strategy ecosystem level. For instance, co-culture of abalone involved investigations off the Shandong Peninsula and kelp provides combined benefits of a food source of North China, particularly in aquaculture areas of and waste reduction: abalone feed on kelp, and the Sanggou Bay (Fig. 1). Field observations, microcosm kelp takes up nutrients released from the abalone experiments and modeling studies analyzed the (Tang et al. 2013). Co-culture of finfish, bivalves and combined effects of fish-catch, aquaculture, and kelp links organisms from different trophic levels so enhancement activities on the structure and function that the algae absorb nutrients released from finfish of the coastal ecosystem, as well as responses of the and bivalves, and bivalves feed on suspended fecal ecosystem to multiple stressors. The goal was to particles from the fish. Since kelp and Gracilaria develop adaptive management strategies for sustain- lemaneiformis are cultured from December to May able aquaculture systems. and from June to November, respectively, nutrients are absorbed by the algae throughout the year. These examples of multi-trophic culture maximize Aquaculture in Sanggou Bay the utilization of space by aquaculture as they com- bine culture techniques in the pelagic and benthic Sanggou Bay is located on the eastern tip of Shan- zones. Implementation of IMTA in Sanggou Bay has dong Peninsula, China and is well known in the field improved economic benefits, maintained environ- of marine aquaculture, especially in integrated multi- mental quality, created new jobs, and led to culture trophic aquaculture (IMTA). Overall, >100 km2 of the technique innovations (Fang & Zhang 2015). 40° 37.15° N N Bohai 38° 37.1° 36° China Yellow Sea 37.05° Fish cage area Seaweed area 34° Scallop area Oyster area 118° E 120° 122° 124° Integrated culture area 37° 122.4°E 122.45° 122.5° 122.55° 122.6° Fig. 1. Aquaculture areas in Sanggou Bay, Shandong Province, China Fang et al.: Introduction to Theme Section IMTA in Sanggou Bay 203 A Abalone: Abalone: kelp consumption NH4 and CO2 excretion Kelp: Kelp: new tissue growth absorption of NH4 and CO2 Nutrients in water B Finfish: Finfish: Feed consumption of DO NH4 and CO2 excretion Finfish: faeces and Phytoplankton: Kelp: residual feed absorption of NH4 and CO2 absorption of NH4 and CO2 Bivalves: Kelp: consumption produce DO C Nutrients (in water) Seaweed: absorption of NH4 and CO2 Phytoplankton: Abalone: absorption of NH4 and CO2 seaweed consumption Clam: new tissue growth