Threats and the future of Shellfishing Cape Cod has changed dramatically over the years, and because of these changes, there are serious impediments happening to the shellfish aquaculture expansion (Brennessel, 2008). The most important threat that is occurring presently is water quality. Years of increasing population with concomitant residential development, unaccompanied by wastewater infrastructure has resulted in nitrogen pollution (Ashworth, n.d.). On the cape, around 85% of the population uses septic systems, which removes harmful pathogens, but does not treat nitrogen and other nutrients (Weeks, 2013). This results in nitrogen-rich wastewater passing into the ground (Ashworth, n.d.). This groundwater moves to marshes and estuaries
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The predicted climate changes may have far-reaching impacts on the industry (Brennessel, 2008). Temperature increases, as well as increased greenhouse gas levels, will negatively affect shellfish, and the warming of the ocean waters could lead to a redistribution of bivalve species (Brennessel, 2008). Warmer ocean temperatures will also increase the incidence of a seafood associated illness caused by a bacteria called Vibrio that becomes an issue in warmer waters and would cause the shellfish to be unsellable (Brunnessel, 2008). New predators and invasive species may also migrate into the warmer waters (Brunnessel, …show more content…
Tidal flats are the ideal location for shellfish farms in Cape Cod because they allow easy access for frequent monitoring and maintenance. As the sea level rises, these intertidal zones will no longer exist, and the methods and equipment currently used will have to be changed (Brunnessel, 2008). The rising levels of carbon dioxide associated with climate change can also affect the ocean’s chemical makeup by causing the marine environments pH levels to become more acidic (Brunnessel, 2008). According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the surge of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has made the oceans on average thirty percent more acidic at the surface since the Industrial Revolution (Abel, 2015). Not only that, NOAA predicts that the oceans will become 150 percent more acidic by 2100 (Abel, 2015). Studies have shown that the additional acid caused by ocean acidification makes it much more difficult for bivalves to develop their shells, which in turn makes them more vulnerable to prey and less likely to reproduce (Abel, 2015). Because Cape Cod is so economically dependent on shelled mollusks, the shellfishing industries there are much more vulnerable to ocean acidification, and have much to lose in terms of jobs, income, and revenue (Srinivas,
The predicted climate changes may have far-reaching impacts on the industry (Brennessel, 2008). Temperature increases, as well as increased greenhouse gas levels, will negatively affect shellfish, and the warming of the ocean waters could lead to a redistribution of bivalve species (Brennessel, 2008). Warmer ocean temperatures will also increase the incidence of a seafood associated illness caused by a bacteria called Vibrio that becomes an issue in warmer waters and would cause the shellfish to be unsellable (Brunnessel, 2008). New predators and invasive species may also migrate into the warmer waters (Brunnessel, …show more content…
Tidal flats are the ideal location for shellfish farms in Cape Cod because they allow easy access for frequent monitoring and maintenance. As the sea level rises, these intertidal zones will no longer exist, and the methods and equipment currently used will have to be changed (Brunnessel, 2008). The rising levels of carbon dioxide associated with climate change can also affect the ocean’s chemical makeup by causing the marine environments pH levels to become more acidic (Brunnessel, 2008). According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the surge of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has made the oceans on average thirty percent more acidic at the surface since the Industrial Revolution (Abel, 2015). Not only that, NOAA predicts that the oceans will become 150 percent more acidic by 2100 (Abel, 2015). Studies have shown that the additional acid caused by ocean acidification makes it much more difficult for bivalves to develop their shells, which in turn makes them more vulnerable to prey and less likely to reproduce (Abel, 2015). Because Cape Cod is so economically dependent on shelled mollusks, the shellfishing industries there are much more vulnerable to ocean acidification, and have much to lose in terms of jobs, income, and revenue (Srinivas,