Impacts of fish cages/farming on the species composition

Impacts of fish cages/farming on the species composition

1. IMPACTS OF FISH CAGES/FARMING ON THE SPECIES COMPOSITION, ABUNDANCE, AND DISTRIBUTION OF ZOOPLANKTON IN BARANGAY SABANG, SURIGAO CITY, SURIGAO DEL NORTE, PHILIPPINES     Presentor : POLICAN ,PHIL RICA F. TOMOL, RESHIELL JEAN T. VIRTUDAZO, JERAPH C. BSMB 4B

2. Objectives The general objective of this study is to assess the impacts of fish cage/farming on the species composition, abundance, and distribution of zooplankton in Barangay Sabang , Surigao del Norte, Philippines.  

3. Specific objectives   1. Identify the species composition of zooplankton in Barangay Sabang , Surigao del Norte. 2. Determine the abundance and distribution of zooplankton in Barangay Sabang , Surigao del Norte. And to observe the diel vertical (immigration ) of zooplankton by collecting samples at different times of the day. 3. Compare the species composition, abundance, and distribution of zooplankton in the the study area, with areas that does not have fish cages. 4. Assess the impacts of fish cage/farming on the species composition, abundance, and distribution of zooplankton in the study area.

4. Problem There is limited research on the impacts of fish cage/farming on zooplankton in the Philippines. This study will fill this gap by investigating the impacts of fish cage/farming in Barangay Sabang , a coastal barangay in the province of Surigao del Norte.  

5. Significance of the Study This study will serve as a guide for future researchers interested in studying the impacts of fish cage/farming on the zooplankton population of the Philippines. It would also be useful to know the most recent status of this case. Furthermore, the results of this study will be used to develop management strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of fish cage/farming on the environment.

6. Hypothesis This study hypothesizes that fish cage/farming will have a negative impact on the species composition, abundance and distribution of zooplankton in Barangay Sabang .

7. Scope and Limitation This study will investigate the impacts of fish cage farming on the zooplankton community in Barangay Sabang , Surigao del Norte. The study will employ a comparative and experimental approach, comparing zooplankton parameters within and outside the fish cage area. However, the study is limited to zooplankton community within a specific area of Barangay Sabang and may not be representative of zooplankton communities in other areas with different fish cage farming practices or evnvironmental conditions. Additionally, the study will only assess the short-term impacts of fish cage farming and not fully captured long-term effects.  

8. lll . MATERIALS AND METHODS Study Area : The study will be conducted in Barangay Sabang , Surigao del Norte, Philippines.  

9. Sampling Site: The study site will be conducted into two areas: one site with fish cage farming activities and one site without fish cages/farming activities(approximately 500 meters away from the cages). Each area should be of equal size and have similar environmental conditions.

10. Sample Collection: Zooplankton samples will be collected using a plankton net with a mesh size of 200 µm. A vertical tow method will be employed, towing the net from the surface to the bottom at each sampling site. Samples will be preserved in 10% formalin for subsequent laboratory analysis. Samples will be collected from the surface, mid-depth and bottom waters each site. Collection will be done every morning (6:00-8:00AM), afternoon (12:00-4:00PM), and in evening (8:00-10:00PM) to capture diel variations in zooplankton abundance and distribution.  

11. Zooplankton Analysis: Preserved zooplankton samples will be analyzed using standard laboratory techniques. Zooplankton abundance will be determined using a Bogorov counting chamber under a dissecting microscope. Zooplankton diversity will be assessed using Shannon-Wiener and Simpson's diversity indices. Zooplankton species composition will be identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible, utilizing taxonomic keys and reference literature.

12. Physico -chemical Analysis: Water samples will be collected concurrently with zooplankton sampling using a Niskin bottle sampler. Physico -chemical parameters, including temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, nutrient levels (nitrate, nitrite, phosphate), and turbidity, will be analyzed using standard laboratory methods.  

13. Data Analysis: Zooplankton and physico -chemical data will be analyzed using statistical methods to assess the impacts of fish cage farming on zooplankton species composition, abundance, and distribution.   Analysis of Variance (ANOVA): One way ANOVA will be used to compare zooplankton species composition, abundance and didtribution among the two sampling sites to determine significant differences.   Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) will be used to correlate physico -chemical parameters with the abundance of zooplankton population .

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