User:FishBiologist31/sandbox

Introduction
The ocean environment is complex involving multiple forces of intertwined energetic relation. These interactions include gravitational and orbital affects upon wind, current, and intertidal mixing (stratification), but also, compensatory affects that are geographically and climatically unique, varying by coastline and gyre affect (Withgott, Laposata, & Murch 2017). Other key factors such as temperature, salinity, and light (photic zone) all affect biological stimuli of organisms (photo-taxis), particularly host / parasite relationships between fish and infective copepods, referred to as “sea lice” in response to oceanographic and hydrodynamic influences. As well as biophysical interplay, ocean resource use adds another layer of dimensionality (aquaculture), with decreased trends in ocean catch suggesting an increased global requirement for fish farming (FAO 2019). Among these complexities is the potential for “spill over” and “spill back” affects where aquaculture pens are considered reservoirs for infection pressure between farmed and wild stocks (Ashander, Krkošek, & Lewis 2012). This has resulted in multiple funding allocations and grant programs to aid sustainability of fish farming (NOAA 2023). Such aid initiatives are necessary given the continued debates over negative impacts between parasitic sea lice and host farmed fish, for example news feeds over British Columbia open pen transition to land-based mandates (Meissner 2023). The uncertainties of controlling parasite / host interactions involves science interpretation and data reliability which has also resulted in conflicting recommendations (DFO, CSAS 2023; Routledge & Morton 2023), and in some countries, re-examination and critique of advanced risk management and regulatory threshold settings for acceptable levels of lice per fish (Larsen & Vormedal 2020).

These management approaches involve multiple levels of consideration for successful application and acceptance. Primarily, the impact of science and interpretation of biological interactions associated with aquaculture, and the public opinion of presented recommendations. The perceptions that follow research relate to effectiveness of management and regulation; but also, reflect ongoing concerns of aquaculture: sea lice transfer from farm to wild, chemical and mechanical treatments, resistance issues, genetic selective breeding, and escapee potential.

This entry will discuss the intricacies of science interpretation, biological interactions, and aquaculture management impacts by an interpretation of magnitude and perception.

Methods
For qualitative examination, this work has used a literature review to assign magnitudes of impact and perception: positive (+), negative (-), or (none) indifferent to each of the reviewed works (N = 10). For quantification, the observable benefits and limitations presented in each work were tabulated along with perceptions of key paper elements and then assigned scores for impacts and perception (1-positive, 2-negative, and 3-none). Do to the potential for inequality of assignments, two groups were divided for analysis; between papers (Bp) and per paper (Pp). Totals for each group were summed by assigned scores of magnitudes and perceptions and evaluated directly and in combination. Total scores Bp (N=20) and Pp (N=10) were used to calculate percentages and percent differences. Combined (Bp), (Pp), and total percent differences were used to identify anomalies for further inspection by individual paper (ID#) – supplemented by notes (overall importance of magnitudes and perceptions). Combined percentage observations, notational records, and individual research re-examinations were used to compare and contrast results of categorical assignments for further discussion.

Results
The (Bp) analysis of impact to perception showed a more positive than negative result (45% - 35%) with indifferent scores (20%). Further percentages showed differences of perception with positive to indifference (65%), and negative to indifference (55%). Ratio analysis evidenced an overall equal assignment for (Pp) of impact to perception (1.0), while a tendency of (Bp) towards a more positive nature to negative (1.2 – 0.77) and overall indifference suggesting a differing impact (2.23 – 1.75). Evaluation of (Pp) explained percentage relationships differing slightly from (Bp) with: equal positive and negative results (30% - 30%), indifference (10%), positive to negative indifference (10%), indifference to positive (20%), and the remainder combinations (0%) for negative to positive and indifferent to negative respectively. Examination of cumulative percentages for both groups then explained amalgamations for positive (0%), negative (80%), and indifference relationships (120%). The percentage analysis then allowed identification of three outlier assignments based upon overall examinations (ID#004, 006, and 009) – the first two indifferent to positive, with the later complete indifference. Flagged research works were re-evaluated to determine the causes of discrepancies.

Discussion
The results between groups for both magnitude and perception assignments showed only slight differences favoring positivity of literature. This was an expected result since the examined works underwent per peer-review process with intent to provide valuable recommendations; however, score assignments for indifference required further attention. Percentage inter-relationships explained positive to indifference to hold more significance; followed by similar ratio analysis results. Linked percentage sequences then allowed further examination: (ID# 009) was determined as solely informational and did not suggest viable alternatives or definitive scientific recommendations, but rather, was a supportive compendium for the British Columbia Government in lieu of the transition mandate (DFO 2019). This explains the indifference of magnitude and perception assigned. The second outlier (ID# 008), received a positive impact score because of the incorporation of simulation modelling (space and time), which is a valuable experiment given the uncertainties of sea lice dispersion and geographic differences affecting results common in the literature (Dempson et al.1998; Boxaspen, 2006). However, the negative perception assignment for the paper explained the papers lack of applicability to other regions, unknowns of climatic influence upon threshold setting, and lack of alternate parasite / host interaction data. The third outlying marker explained indifference to positive trends (ID#004 & 006). Both of which received indifferent scores for magnitudes due to equal balances of positive / negative research impacts to remaining uncertainties (unknown role of alternate hosts and deficiencies with breeding technologies). The positive assignments for both papers was a result of overall contributions to the field of genetics, largely thought to provide solutions to sea lice infestation pressures as technologies advance and are refined (Shea, D., et al. 2022). Lastly, connections having (negative to positive and indifferent to negative) showed zero percent differences, since negative and indifferent impacts presumably cannot result in positive or negative perceptions.

The effectiveness of management is influenced by complexities including scientific interpretations, biological interactions, and aquaculture processes. Validity of research is paramount for interpretation and communication, to an end that propels meaningful change and sustainable advancement – driven by magnitudes and perceptions of information. Although this work is represented by a minor data-set (N=10), the principles given to determine anomalies within research may be transferred to larger data sets, thereby optimizing the direction for reviewers to deliver time efficient analysis. It is recommended that future studies incorporate the principles herein, noting that identification of simple anomalous categorical assignments may infer more advanced statistical techniques to direct testing of variables that affect overall importance. Further assessment of indifference and negative perceptions of works, as defined and relatable to negative [https://www.fao.org/in-action/globefish/fishery-information/resource-detail/en/c/379676/#:~:text=Evidence%20is%20mixed%20on%20whether,of%20the%20seafood%20they%20buy. perceptions of aquaculture], will allow for more timely and relevant research choices for scientists and their hypotheses.