Supporting Aquaculture at Nomilo Fishpond
Supporting Aquaculture at Nomilo Fishpond
Posted June 24, 2021Kauaʻi Sea Farms is participating in PacIOOS’ Water Quality Sensor Partnership Program (WQSPP), deploying a water quality sensor for a one-year period at Nomilo Fishpond, Kauaʻi.
The PacIOOS Seabird nearshore sensor is ready for deployment at Nomilo Fishpond. Credit: PacIOOS/S.Ellis.
The fishpond is a naturally formed resource within an ancient volcanic caldera located in Kalaheo, Kauaʻi and has a centuries long history of food production. However, it has been underutilized in the past 100 years and is undergoing a renaissance. To reduce excessive phytoplankton and prevent oxygen depletion events, the seawater channel between the pond and ocean has been restored and shellfish farming has been introduced. A research project is expected to begin later this year to introduce native sea cucumber aquaculture to better cycle nutrients along the pond bottom.
Farm manager Dave Anderson demonstrating the oyster upwelling system which uses water from the pond. Credit: PacIOOS/S.Ellis.
The PacIOOS water quality sensor will be utilized to measure changes in three areas of the pond throughout the year, to assist with spatial planning and optimization of aquaculture activities, and determine potential impacts of these activities on the aquatic environment of the fishpond.
