Ecosystem-based assessment of tropical Lobster Sea cage farming impact: A novel BACI-framework for sustainable mariculture expansion along the Northeast coast of Arabian Sea

Tade, Mayur Shivdas and Mojjada, Suresh Kumar and Abdul Azeez, P and Bagde, Prachi Siddharth and Ramshad, T S and Soni, Mayank and Subramanian, Aarsha and Swathi Lekshmi, P S and Ignatius, Boby and Suresh, V V R and Gopalakrishnan, A and Divu, D (2026) Ecosystem-based assessment of tropical Lobster Sea cage farming impact: A novel BACI-framework for sustainable mariculture expansion along the Northeast coast of Arabian Sea. Aquaculture. pp. 1-21.

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Abstract

Open-sea mariculture is rapidly emerging as a sustainable food production system with sizeable economic potential; however, its expansion poses localized marine pollution, particularly due to nutrient enrichment in coastal ecosystems. This study evaluated the hydrobiological and ecological impacts of tropical sea cage farming along the Saurashtra coast of northwest India using a novel, integrative approach combining the Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) investigational design, high-frequency temporal sampling, and ecological indices to assess nutrient dynamics and phytoplankton responses. The results revealed significant localized, transient increases in nitrate, phosphate, and total suspended solids at farming sites, leading to reduced phytoplankton diversity (Shannon's H′ = 3.02) and increased dominance of eutrophication-tolerant taxa such as Nitzschia and Navicula spp. (Simpson's D = 0.0567), compared to the control site (H′ = 3.21; D = 0.0420), indicating localized, transient nutrient discharge into coastal waters. These diatom genera may serve as early bioindicators of nutrient loading. Furthermore, this study also highlights India's unique advantage of a monsoon-driven fallow period, providing a recovery mechanism that supports ecosystem resilience. Thus, to balance mariculture production goals with long-term environmental integrity, this study recommends adopting an ecosystem-based management (EBM) framework that integrates site-specific environmental monitoring. The outcomes of this study provides foundation for the development of science-driven policy frameworks that align with global sustainability imperatives. By demonstrating how climate-adaptive strategies such as monsoon-induced fallowing can be embedded within ecosystem-based governance models, this work advances responsible mariculture expansion in India while directly contributing to the SDG's and the long-term resilience of marine ecosystems.

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