AutoDEPOMOD Software.

Aquaculture

Xodus AURORA calls on experience gained from 15 years working in the aquaculture industry to provide a wide ranging consultancy service to the industry. The extensive knowledge within Xodus AURORA on environmental issues relating to offshore and coastal industries ensures that Xodus AURORA is ideally suited to support all areas of the aquaculture sector. The national and international nature of our business allows experience to be drawn from local industries as well as wider experiences outside the UK.

Environmental Impact Assessment
Xodus AURORA is recognised as a provider of high quality, robust assessments to support planning applications. The cornerstone to this success is ensuring EIA is an integral process to design and operation, and that client teams are fully integrated in the environmental issue identification (ENVID) and EIA process. Consultation with stakeholders and the public is an important aspect of any EIA and Xodus AURORA has excellent working relationships with government departments, their statutory consultees, and a wide range of non statutory stakeholders. Xodus AURORA also assists with the site selection of aquaculture sites from assessments on the local receiving environment and can aid with the initial liaison with statutory consultees during pre-screening. Xodus AURORA has undertaken EIAs for a wide range of aquaculture developments throughout Scotland.

Environmental Management Systems
Environmental Management Systems (EMS) are essential to ensuring an organisation operates in an environmentally responsible manner. Xodus AURORA supports the development of such systems for a range of clients. Xodus AURORA can also provide accredited auditors to review any environmental management systems that you have in place. To support those who are involved in conducting or participating in environmental management system audits, we offer three day EMS Auditor training courses that can be tailored to your requirements.

Environmental Survey
Xodus AURORA provides a range of survey services from baseline surveys as part of environmental impact studies, to the design and implementation of ongoing monitoring programmes. Capabilities include – survey design and planning, coastal and sub littoral habitat surveys, hydrographic and meteorological surveys, and the collection of seabed and water column samples for chemical and biological analysis.

Environmental Consent Applications
Specialist input into environmental permit and consent applications can be provided in support of operational licences. These include local planning applications and SEPA Controlled Activities Regulation (CAR) applications.

Aquaculture Management Plans
Xodus AURORA assists in the development of aquaculture management plans to meet organic standards (e.g. Soil Association).

Modelling Studies
AutoDEPOMOD, is a computer modelling system developed by SEPA to allow for the prediction of effects of fish farms on the environment and to determine where monitoring around sites should take place. It is also used for setting the limits on the biomass and quantities of sea lice chemicals allowable at the fish farm site which are assessed against Environmental Quality Standards (EQS). Xodus AURORA has extensive experience in using this software programme and are registered with SEPA to undertake modelling. Exploratory modelling can be run at sites and equipment characteristics altered in order to maximise the site’s potential in terms of biomass and minimise environmental impact.

Environmental Awareness and Compliance Training
Xodus AURORA has extensive experience of undertaking environmental awareness training, with a preferred joint approach of raising awareness of environmental sensitivities at operational sites, and through identifying practical measures that employees can understand and implement. Course content and delivery methods vary – options include presentation and workshop sessions, intranet or CD-based modules.

Environmental Performance Review
Many organisations in the aquaculture industry have realised benefits by commissioning an independent statement of environmental performance. This statement can be used to assist in client audits as well as for PR and marketing material. In addition to reporting on performance indicators and trends over time, an independent statement from Xodus AURORA can be used as a means of reporting qualitative issues, for example, a focus on wildlife seen around the sites or reports on management and operational initiatives.

Environmental Research and Development
Innovation is an important aspect to Xodus AURORA and we undertake research and development work as required.