Biodiversity and coexistence

Promoting a balance between aquaculture operations, ocean health, and biodiversity.

Maintaining biodiversity is crucial for aquaculture's long-term sustainability, yet many operators struggle to assess and enhance their biodiversity performance. The rapid expansion of aquaculture and other marine industries is increasingly stressing ocean ecosystems. These challenges include: 

• Monitoring biodiversity trends: Continuously assessing the health of marine ecosystems is crucial for making informed decisions and advancing conservation efforts. 

• Managing multiple ocean uses: Aquaculture must be integrated with other ocean activities, such as energy production, transportation, fisheries, tourism, and more. 

• Reducing environmental impacts: Issues like fish escapes, habitat disruption, and water quality decline pose risks to biodiversity and fish welfare. 

As marine spatial areas are explored more extensively, it is essential to establish regulatory frameworks that balance ecological, economic, and social goals. 

Putting our expertise into practice 

At DNV, we help aquaculture operators monitor and verify biodiversity performance while fostering coexistence among diverse ocean stakeholders. Leveraging our expertise in ocean health, we provide independent surveys, impact assessments, and policy guidance to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable aquaculture. 

The Middle East’s aquaculture sector must harmonize its growth with the region’s ecological preservation goals. The rapid expansion of aquaculture and other marine industries is putting pressure on ocean ecosystems. DNV delivers solutions that integrate biodiversity monitoring and cross-industry collaboration to address these unique challenges.

We offer range of services tailored to the Middle East to promote biodiversity and coexistence through: 

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) tailored for Gulf ecosystems: Assessing water quality, seabeds, vulnerable species, and habitats before, during, and after marine operations. Evaluate the effects of human activities on marine ecosystems to ensure sustainable use and conservation. 

• Biodiversity monitoring frameworks: Developing systems to track ecosystem health, inform policy decisions, and measure progress in conservation efforts. Conduct marine environmental monitoring, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements for aquaculture impacts by assessing water parameters, classifying environmental conditions, and adhering to relevant guidelines and standards. 

• Fish population studies: Monitoring migration patterns, population dynamics, and behaviour to understand aquatic ecosystems, especially in the context of fish escapes. 

• Policy and regulation support: Collaborating with authorities to evaluate potential aquaculture sites and guide balanced ocean-use policies. Contribute to navigating regulatory frameworks by providing guidance on requirements, identifying compliance gaps, and implementing effective solutions. 

• Mitigation and conservation strategies: Creating solutions to minimize negative environmental impacts and promote biodiversity. 

Your independent partner 

With a proven track record in ocean health and sustainability, DNV assists aquaculture operators and governments in achieving biodiversity objectives while fostering coexistence across industries.  

Our independent advisory services help reduce ecological risks and foster trust with stakeholders, regulators, and the public. Additionally, we enable a balanced approach to ocean resource management, ensuring regulatory compliance while meeting regulatory demands

Our methodologies enable stakeholders to make informed, well-balanced decisions that support both marine ecosystems and economic growth. 

Contact us today to learn how we can support your biodiversity and coexistence initiatives.