Fish Farm Monitoring
Since 2003 AP Marine has provided services to the aquaculture sector by carrying out monitoring studies relating to marine fish farm cage impacts on the marine environment. By law, in Cyprus all marine ongrowing and fattening cage facilities are required to conduct biannual studies based on a protocol compiled by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment.
AP Marine was the first private company to be approved by the Department of Fisheries to conduct these monitoring activities and has in the last 7 years conducted studies for most of the fishfarm companies in Cyprus. AP Marine’s clients have included the 3 largest producers in Cyprus.
Qualified marine biologists and technical staff collect all the samples at sea from the location of each cage installation utilising specialised sampling equipment remotely from the company’s 9m purposefully built research vessel or by utilising divers to collect samples directly from the seabed or water column and to carry out video and photographic surveys.
Laboratory analysis is carried out at AP Marine’s facilities by qualified marine biologists / ecologists. Chemical and microbiological analysis is carried out in a collaborating accredited chemical laboratory to ensure reliable results. Statistical analysis is then carried out and the results are compiled into a comprehensive study and presented to the relevant authorities.
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