Selection of sites for establishing aquaculture parks, and estimation of fish production carrying capacity, for a tropical reservoir in South America

Actions facilitating the reconciliation of multiple uses of a reservoir with electric power generation should be implemented so as to avoid conflicts and support the best development of the water resource. In view of the fish production potential existing in Itaipu Reservoir, the objective of this study was to select areas considered adequate for establishing aquaculture parks by means of integrated and ordered planning that respect the carrying capacity of the environment. This study was carried out in the branches of the São Francisco Falso, São Francisco Verdadeiro and Ocoí rivers in the Paraná Basin draining to Itaipu Reservoir. Using the Dillon and Rigler eutrophication model, the carrying capacity and estimated production were 2537, 2554 and 1569 t yr−1 in the respective branches. The percentages of occupation of each aquaculture park, taking into consideration the maximum area of dilution and safety level for the reservoir operation, were 0.46%, 0.48% and 0.09% for the three branches, respectively. It was concluded that the aquaculture activity could be promoted in a sustainable manner under constant monitoring of water quality and production parameters in accordance with a management programme, combined with planning of these aquaculture areas in a manner that ensured the application of physical limits for the carrying capacity established in this study.