Estimating ecological and production carrying capacity for lobster farming based on organic carbon deposition in the mariculture zone

AbstractLobster farming produces higher organic carbon footprints; thus, a carrying capacity model must be developed specifically to address the issue. This study aimed to develop a carrying capacity for lobster farming based on a carbon deposition model. Bay and open waters (worst and best scenarios) carbon deposition models were developed using DEPOMOD. Two net cage configurations were used in each model. Current velocity, farming practices, and coastal geodatabases of seven provinces were analysed. The maximum carbon deposition in the bay was higher (1.67 kgC/m2/day) than in the coastal area (0.55 kgC/m2/day) for the single net cage configuration. Similarly, the bay’s four net cages produced a higher carbon deposition (4.11 C kg/m2/day) than the coastal net cages (0.88 kgC/m2/day). The bay has a smaller carbon footprint for both net cage configurations (68.98-140.12 m) compared to the coastal waters’ net cages (100.76-198.19 m). Based on the carbon deposition models, it is estimated that the assessed 598 Indonesia’s mariculture zones (total area of 1.47 million ha) could support 92,904 net cages (200 frames/net cage) capable of producing lobster of 557,429 tonnes/year. The proposed models could be used to replace the generic carrying capacity for lobster farming in Indonesia’s mariculture zones