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Subtask Description:
Organize meeting.

Action points of the implementation:

Meet with a test audience

Introduce them
Present your presentation to them
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Area:
The Limfjord, Denmark

Policy Issue:
Sustainable mussel production in the Limfjord

Human Activities:
Mussel fishery, mussel aqua culture, agriculture, urban and industrial activity, recreational finfish fishery, tourism.

General Information:
In the early 1990’s a regime shift took place in the area, and there was an activity transition from demersal fishery to mussel fishery. Eutrophication, caused by nitrogen and phosphate loadings, is still causing periodical hypoxia, sometimes resulting in major death of mussels, and Harmful Algal Blooms, resulting in periodical commercial ban of the product. In 2006 the mussel landings fell to exceptionally low level and there is high risk of a total collapse of the mussel production. Mussel culture in lines is introduced to the area to replace the fishing activity, but this new venture is not economically viable. The main stakeholder concerns are connected to the impacts of hypoxia, mussel fishery and the lack of finfish and a understanding of their ecosystem functioning.

Example of Implementation:
Multiple scenario simulations were made prior to the Output Step stakeholder meetings of the Limfjord. This was to give an overview of results which is not possible within the Extend software. During stakeholder meetings the final, user-friendly ESE model was carefully demonstrated, in particularly where to change simulation settings and where to access resulting graphs. A couple of representative scenario simulations were chosen for the plenary session, e.g. reduction of N by 50 %, reduction of N & P simultaneously by 50 %, closure of mussel fishery (i.e. reduction by 100%), and introduction of mussel farms (i.e. 4 and 8 farms). The stakeholders were then given opportunity for hands-on experience with the model (using several computers) and were able to test different scenarios them-selves.

During Appraisal Step, a Limfjord symposium was held, during which 1 day was dedicated to peer discussions of the SPICOSA project results and in relation to results of other Limfjord associated projects, e.g. Tomczak et al. (2011). The peer group members was not selected individually, rather an invitation was sent out two months in advance to all Danish Universities with interests/projects in the Limfjord, as well as to all managers (regional and national) with an interest in the Limfjord. In total, 20 participated in the discussions. Some peers were positively surprised to see how an integrated ESE model could both show results as expected and also reveal new information on the system. Some peers expressed concern that the model would be to simple a representation of the system and that more issues have to be formulated and added to the ESE model, before it can be used more generally. However, the data input and modelling methods used in the different model components were accepted by individual specialist peers.
During the OS, a 1-day meeting was held with the environmental managers alone, all of which are environmental specialist. This was to done on their request and to ensure that this rather complex model component were in accordance with their knowledge of the system down to the smallest detail. These peers expressed that this was the first model they had seen for the Limfjord system, in which they were able to follow every step and component, and that to them the model was highly credible.
This peer group thought this particular ESE model could potentially become an important instrument for at the municipal level for implementing of local WFD targets and at the national level for regulation of activities related to mussel production.

Contact: Grete E. Dinesen, gdi@aqua.dtu.dk.