Aquaculture has developed into a major source of food for humans, rivalling wild fisheries. Studies on the interactions between culture systems and natural environments are important for analyzing and managing the environmental effects of aquaculture and optimising production. Aquaculture Environment Interactions serves as a worldwide forum for these topics.

Areas covered include:

Pollution and nutrient inputs; bio-accumulation and impacts of chemical compounds used in aquaculture.
Effects on benthic and pelagic assemblages or pro­cesses that are related to aquaculture activities.
Interactions of wild fauna (invertebrates, fishes, birds, mammals) with aquaculture activities; genetic impacts on wild populations.
Parasite and pathogen interactions between farmed and wild stocks.
Comparisons of the environmental effects of traditional and organic aquaculture.
Introductions of alien species; escape and intentional releases (seeding) of cultured organisms into the wild.
Effects of capture-based aquaculture (ranching).
Interactions of aquaculture installations with biofouling organisms and consequences of biofouling control measures.
Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture; comparisons of re-circulation and ‘open’ systems.
Effects of climate change and environmental variability on aquaculture activities.
Modelling of aquaculture–environment interactions; ­assessment of carrying capacity.
Interactions between aquaculture and other industries (e.g. tourism, fisheries, transport).
Policy and practice of aquaculture regulation directed towards environmental management; site selection, spatial planning, Integrated Coastal Zone Management, and eco-ethics.