Site selection for the establishment of marine cages for Epinephelus coioides in the peripheral waters of southern Qeshm Island based on the management analysis model (SWOT) and GIS

The purpose of this study is to identify suitable areas for aquaculture development and to determine the suitable locations for the establishment of marine cages for Epinephelus coioides in the waters around the Qeshm Island, with an attitude on environmental considerations and aquaculture development approach. In this regard, the ecological conditions of the studied area for the purpose of introducing the Epinephelus coioides for aquaculture in marine cages, the suitable areas for deploying marine cages through hydro biological studies, hydrography, geomorphology, geographic information system (GIS) application as a model for determining the suitable locations for deploying marine cages and prioritizing and rating the selected areas based on the (SWOT) analysis model were determined. The 16-month period of this study continued from October 2016 to January 2017 and the studied area was in Hormozgan province, the peripheral waters of Qeshm Island. Based on a series of studies on the geomorphologic features of the coastal area and the hydrography of the studied area, it was determined that the intended areas included the southern coastal area of Qeshm Island in the western part, as well as the marine range of the island are suitable and environmentally safe places that the taken measures were successful in establishing cage systems with respect to scientific management. Due to the high coefficient of confidence of the region through the PASTAKIA model and the combined matrix method, these areas had high scores. This criterion and score in the middle group are descriptive of the effect and a quantitative criterion of 50 -25 which, requires observance of the management principles in terms of decision making and action.