Integrated assessment of sustainable marine cage culture through system dynamics modeling

The high growth of marine cage culture faces challenges for sustainable development. This study applied system dynamics modeling for an integrated assessment of nitrogenous nutrient enrichment caused by marine cage culture on the surrounding environment in Magong Bay, Penghu Archipelago, Taiwan, along with its consequences to farm profitability. Simulations were run to explore the effect of the relationship between the farm and its environment on higher production levels. Results showed that there exist a production level for which the farm profitability is highest and that this level might lead to a dissolved oxygen level that is lower than the standard of the Environmental Protection Agency of Taiwan. Consequently, an estimation of the maximal production level that abides the rule was made. We argue that although this level of production is legally reachable, it may not be environmentally sustainable.