5.	CONCLUSIONS

Scoping of the Aquaculture Priority revealed many questions and research needs. However, it is clear that the actual number and types of aquaculture facilities currently in existence needs to be determined and that there is an urgent need for uniform, thoughtful legislation, operational guidelines and best management practices that minimize environmental impacts but do not over-regulate the industry. There is also a need for research and development of environmentally-friendly recirculating system technologies that can grow food with minimal impacts on natural waters and environmental quality.

The Modeling Summit continues to be an effective way to bring together modelers and resource managers to discuss how ecosystem modeling can aid in accomplishing the goals of RAPs, LaMPs and indicator selection and development. The Council is pleased to convene the summit at various venues including SOLEC and IAGLR and notes that its objective of identifying research needs, gaps and priorities is furthered by the regular scheduling of these events. Future summits may continue to be held on a lake specific basis or be organized around other themes such as a session in which modelers and managers collaborate to implement a solution to some pressing management problem.

Biodiversity in the Great Lakes basin is affected by the activities of a tremendous number of organizations and programs. However, there is no single agency or group that has the responsibility and authority to protect biodiversity. There is a critical need to develop ecosystem or ecoregional management approaches that protect and enhance critical habitats large enough to sustain viable, genetically diverse populations. Further, an oversight committee or organization both within the U.S. and Canada and between countries should be developed to provide a coordinated body for assimilation of the extensive amount of research, databases, atlases, cataloguing and other ongoing programs on biodiversity.