ABSTRACT
Coastal ‚sh farms concentrate large numbers of ‚sh species of both ecological and economic importance. In this respect, the aggregative effect of sea cages on wild ‚sh populations is analogous to the effect of ‚sh aggregation devices (FADs). High food availability, chie¦y through loss of aquacultural feed, greatly increases feeding opportunities in the vicinity of farms. This increased food availability leads to increases in condition of farm-associated wild ‚sh. Negative effects of aggregation at ‚sh farms are also possible. These include the modi‚cation of fat levels and fatty acid distribution in the tissues of wild ‚sh, which may have consequences for spawning success and subsequent larval survival, and the increase of speci‚c species of parasites. From an ecological perspective, holistic management of coastal waters requires integration of the effects of aquaculture with those of other industries, such as ‚sheries.
