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Carrying capacity model focused on interactions between the filter-feeder growth and their environments is presented, and differences among existing various carrying capacity models are reviewed. For carrying capacity modeling of shellfish system, we constructed a new numerical model coupled oyster growth model with an ecosystem model (EUTRP2). Physical and biological processes such as water transport and mixing, primary production, feeding and growth of the cultivated oyster, Crassostrea gigas and benthic-pelagic exchange were included in the model, Simulated results for validation showed that the more phytoplankton biomass decreased, the more oyster meat weight and nutrients increased, suggesting a powerful tool for reasonable management of shellfish aquaculture. The model was sensitive to parameters controlling the primary production. Among the ecosystem compartments, the oyster growth is highly influenced by small changes in the physiological parameters of phytoplankton and oyster. This sensitivity analysis indicated the importance of experimental data on biological parameters for calibration of the model.

A 3D hydrodynamic-ecological coupled model was applied to estimate carrying capacity in Geoje-Hansan Bay where is one of the most important oyster culturing grounds in Korea. We considered the carrying capacity as the difference between food supply to the oysters and food demand, considering monthly difference of the actual growth. The food supply to the system was determined from the results of the model simulation (tidal exchange and chlorophyll ) over the culturing period from September to May of the following year. The food demand was estimated from the food concentration (chlorophyll ) multiple the filtration rate of oysters that is considered monthly different growth rate of oysters and food concentration. The values of carrying capacity for the system varied from 6.1 ton/ha (minimum carrying capacity) in february to 14.91 ton/ha (maximum carrying capacity) in April of marketable size oysters (>4 g wet-tissue weight) depending on temporal variations in the food supply. The oyster production calculated from present facilities was 9 ton/ha in wet-tissue weight in Geoje-Hansan Bay. This value corresponded to of maximum carrying capacity of the system. The optimal carrying capacity without negatively affecting on oyster production was 5.5 ton/ha when calculated from annual statistic data and 6.1 ton/ha when determined by this study. These results suggest that it must be reduced ~ of oyster facilities in the system.