Governance and Offshore Aquaculture in Multi-resource Use Settings

Abstract

The notion of the sea as a seemingly endless source of resources has long dominated marine governance. This is despite that different perceptions and valuation systems underlie the institutional structures that govern and manage marine systems. Socio-political considerations cover the whole range of stakeholders and their type of involvement in the establishment and operation of multi-use offshore systems. However, within the vast variety of regulations inside the EU, the EU Member States as well as in North America, their implementation for offshore multi-use settings is as yet incipient and examples of best practice in multi-use scenarios are needed. These need to combine different knowledge systems (e.g. authorities, decision-makers, local communities, science, etc.) to generate effective insights into the management of multiple uses of ocean space and to complement risk-justified decision-making. Pre-existing social networks can provide significant political leverage for governance transformations as required for the move offshore. That said, a range of organizational and social challenges related to the collective use of a defined ocean territory have to be taken into account. For instance, the creation and compliance with defined responsibilities and duties or the introduction of cross-sectoral management lines, such as an offshore co-management, that integrates the different demands and practices of the involved parties within an operational scheme that is practical on a day to day manner are in case in point. Indeed, how people perceive and value marine environments and the resources they provide determines individual and collective preferences, actions and strategies in the marine realm.

Toward a Common Understanding of Ocean Multi-Use

“…The low degree of connectedness between the uses in this type of multi-use scenario highlights the need for legislated relationships in order to facilitate a free and equitable flow of information about best available technologies, risks, and opportunities between all levels of users and regulators (Krause and Stead, 2017). This requires policy to clearly reflect the responsibilities and rights of each user of the sea in order to facilitate such passive "co-existence" of users.…”

Using systems thinking and open innovation to strengthen aquaculture policy for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

“…Aquaculture, if sustainably resourced and managed, can give back more to the aquatic environment than humans take. This can happen when fishery‐dependent communities have an alternative or supplementary source of desired farmed finfish to wild‐caught fish, thus mitigating pressure on vulnerable fish stocks (Ateweberhan et al , ; Krause & Stead, ; Stead, , ). Similarly, aquatic ecosystems can benefit from an improved health status from introduction of best aquaculture management practices, such as restocking, habitat enhancement, which increase environmental quality in areas where bad practices such as over fishing and groundwater pollution from land has led to damaged ecosystems.…”

“…Similarly, there has been much debate in Europe about the potential for co‐location of aquaculture facilities, among offshore wind‐turbines (Buck et al , ), but this has often come to nothing or had limited success. The lack of systems thinking and in particular concerns about insurance, access, regulations, risk or governance issues (Christie et al , ; Krause & Stead, ) is constraining the positive effect aquaculture could have on people and the aquatic environment. This is why countries like Oman are embracing open innovation tools that can measure the efficacy of aquaculture companies to help develop the future size and shape of the aquaculture industry by measuring successful outcomes Many aquaculture sectors, especially fin‐fish share the same aquatic environment, markets, supply chains with other food resource sectors like wild‐capture fisheries.…”

“…Systems thinking and open innovation (Stead, ) are discussed as opportunities for improving knowledge exchange through wider engagement. In particular, applying good governance principles to involve scientists, government, industry and civic society in decision‐making is highlighted in the context of strengthening evidence‐led aquaculture policy (Krause & Stead, ; Turner et al , ).…”

“…This uncertainty can influence the strength of political will in supporting aquaculture sector development. If a more ambitious growth strategy for aquaculture is realised, using good governance principles (Krause & Stead, ; Stead, ), aquatic farming could influence SDG 2 of zero hunger in our generation. Herein, I argue aquaculture could support a greater proportion of the global population in access to healthy lives and better well‐being (SDG 3) through improved integration in government development of food security policy.…”