Exploring community-based marine aquaculture as a coastal resource management opportunity in Nova Scotia, Canada

Abstract

Aquaculture is one of the world’s fastest growing food production sectors and presents an opportunity for rural community development that can support coastal livelihoods. An ecosystem approach to aquaculture (EAA) has been recommended to facilitate socially and environmentally sustainable development, yet there remains a need to better involve people in planning and operational aspects. Community-based management may help to implement principles of the EAA; however, context-specific research is needed to understand its potential application and suitability. This research explores opportunities for community-based marine aquaculture (CBMA) for nonfinfish in the context of Nova Scotia, Canada, through a series of stakeholder interviews. Results suggest that all stakeholder groups interviewed were positive about the potential for CBMA to support sustainable aquaculture growth in the province; however, key questions around operationalizing CBMA remain. The aquaculture industry is on a continual path for growth worldwide and, therefore, it becomes increasingly important to proactively examine strategies such as CBMA that can help to facilitate EAA in a way that genuinely puts people at the centre of aquaculture development and governance.

Aquaculture and Nature-based Solutions: identifying synergies between sustainable development of coastal communities, aquaculture, and marine and coastal conservation

“…To address these social issues, ongoing present work is carried out on Sustainable Global Value Chain assessment in the aquaculture sector (Bush et al, 2019), gender issues (Kruijssen et al, 2018) as well as the proposed definition and implementation of an equitable mariculture (Eriksson et al, 2018) and Community-based or Communityoriented Aquaculture (Ateweberhan et al, 2018;Campbell et al, 2021;Bradford, 2017).…”

“…Stakeholders participation and the integration of aquaculture actors within a broader governance system has been investigated for decades, and associated with all the work made on aquaculture sustainability, namely EAA (Aubin et al, 2019;Lazard et al, 2014;Rey-Valette et al, 2008;Soto et al, 2008). A relevant governance is also pointed out by recent publications, conditioning the development of aquaculture at larger scales (Costello et al, 2020;Davies et al, 2019) as well as at the local community level (Ateweberhan et al, 2018;Bradford, 2017). However, if advocated by many authors, the implementation of an "inclusive, transparent and empowering governance process" (IUCN, 2020a) involving the aquaculture sector and in compliance with NbS Criterion 5 requires specific answers on a case-to-case basis, as situations vary from one area to another.…”

“…Although FAO (2018) recognises the importance of smallscale aquaculture and community-based management of natural resources in fisheries and aquaculture, such bottom-up deployment may be strengthened in the present implementation of EAA. This could help in taking into consideration all the work related to community-based aquaculture (Ateweberhan et al, 2018;Bradford, 2017). Similarly, Campbell et al (2021) advocate for a reframed marine aquaculture to enhance community well-being, to serve the 'Blue Communities' while being part of the future blue economy.…”

Farm Production Diversity in Aquaculture Has Been Overlooked as a Contributor to Sustainability

“…While lowering feed costs is a priority for carnivorous fish, a focus on routes to profitability for small farms may further incentivize diversifying production with omnivorous or herbivorous species. Changes to the way personnel and social capital are invested in production [community-based aquaculture (Bradford et al, 2020)] could also offer opportunities to change the cost base, including varying the cost of licences, to target profitability of less intensive production. In a full life cycle assessment (Samuel-Fitwi et al, 2013;Liu et al, 2016), there are likely to be a number of points where specific benefits could be subsidised or linked to the market to support a range of farm intensities and capacities.…”

Linking Communication Practice to the Identity Negotiation Theory

“…Maritime development is a complex issue and requires a lot of consideration (Bradford et al, 2020;Brinson et al, 2011;Campbell et al, 2014;Klain et al, 2019;Sisson, 2016;Smith, 2019;UNDP, 2018). Maritime development activities have a great risk of generating social injustice (Adusah-Karikari, 2015;Caswell et al, 2020;Cormier-Salem, 2017;Jentoft, 2013;O'Rourke and Connolly, 2003;Page, 2007;Ratner et al, 2014;Stonich et al, 1997;Thomas, 2016;Too Big To Ignore, 2019;Watts, 2012).…”