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As aquaculture has expanded, researchers and governing authorities have increasingly considered the nature and distribution of the environmental, economic, and social impacts of the industry. Much of that consideration, however, has focused primarily on areas where seafood is produced. This article draws on a case study of the North Carolina oyster aquaculture industry to explore how the preferences and behaviors associated with consuming aquaculture products as well as the management relevant priorities of state residents outside of producing areas might also be important considerations for governing authorities. The study draws on an analysis of North Carolina's management objectives for the shellfish aquaculture industry and compares those objectives to findings from a survey (n = 1040) of seafood consumers (who are also residents) in the state. Results show that consumers tended to prioritize 'consumer-facing' product attributes such as taste, health benefits and price over 'production-facing' attributes such as local origin, sustainability, economic or cultural benefits to local areas, and whether the product was farm-raised or wild-caught. Consumers also consistently stated a preference for wild-caught products and reported that oysters are consumed infrequently as compared to tuna, shrimp, and salmon (the 'big three'). Response patterns varied geographically and across other respondent characteristics, highlighting the importance of both place and culture in shaping both seafood preferences and management objectives. The article concludes with a comparison of these patterns with the objectives of the State, revealing areas of alignment as well as areas of apparent disconnection. The article concludes with a discussion of management implications of the findings, suggesting that attention to seafood consumption patterns should be an important area of management attention in addition to issues associated with production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent shifts towards ecosystem-based management and other holistic and participatory forms of oceans governance and management have come with demands for ways to better incorporate social data into decision-making processes such as integrated ecosystem assessments. This includes information related to a wide range of values associated with different aspects of marine social-ecological systems. This paper addresses that demand by first discussing various notions of value in the literature, and then presenting two case studies from British Columbia, Canada that illuminate some of the opportunities and complexities of using a mix of quantitative and qualitative approaches to bear on the challenge. Findings suggest that values are diverse and are contextually dependent, varying at small scales. Findings further suggest that values are hierarchically arranged and grouped differently by individuals into what might be called perspectives. Finally, the findings highlight that mixed-methods approaches featuring qualitative and quantitative elements may provide a step towards resolving tensions between, on one the one hand, a need to distil complex systems into observable, measurable indicators where the inevitable tradeoffs involved in resource management can be articulated, weighed, and on the other hand, a sense that characterizing the broad range of values that are relevant in shaping attitudes and conceptions of “what should be” in marine systems requires holistic thinking and attention to scale, context, relationality, subjectivity and rich detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In increasingly crowded and contested marine and coastal spaces, there is a pressing need to identify the values, context, culture and other factors that shape what activities will be resisted, tolerated, or desired in those spaces. The concept of wellbeing provides a useful analytical lens to address this need. This study characterizes the impact of shellfish aquaculture on local residents in Baynes Sound, British Columbia across environmental, economic and experiential dimensions by creating an overall index of attitudes towards the industry. Findings suggest that perceptions of impacts within the environmental and experiential dimensions are connected, while the economic dimension is somewhat distinct. Attitudes towards the industry were also widely variable within the sample, and the most important predictor variables of attitudes are not those related to common narratives about groups who ‘like’ or ‘dislike’ the industry. Rather, these variables are related to general environmental beliefs and place (local community of residence). These findings have important management implications as they demonstrate that local contextual (cultural and other) boundaries have critical influences on any assessment of well-being, how it is defined, and its relationship to marine coastal zone activities like aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent scholarship has focused attention on the dynamics and management of marine social ecological systems and on the need for developing a deeper understanding of the fishing strategies of fish harvesters. This includes an understanding of how a broad range of factors influence the strategies of those at the ‘center’ of marine social-ecological interactions. This paper reports on the findings of a survey of snow crab ( Chionoecetes opilio ) fishers in Southeastern Labrador conducted at a time (2005) of significant stress in the fishery. Results highlight that snow crab fishers are embedded in a social-ecological system and that shifts in fishing strategies in times of stress are a product of adapting to a dynamic, interactive set of factors that have social, economic, ecological and management aspects. Important differences between fleet sectors (larger and smaller vessels) as well as processes of learning are also described. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications for management and the utility of a holistic social-ecological perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem based ocean management processes seek to manage intricately linked social–ecological systems. These processes are intended to include and integrate appropriate economic, environmental, and social input into decision-making. To address identified challenges with gathering social data this study uses the Q-method to characterize different perspectives about what is valued about the ocean, seafood, and the community in the seafood sector of a single coastal community in British Columbia, Canada. Drawing on a sample of 42 people from the sector, this study identified a range of values, that group together into five distinct perspectives. These perspectives provide insight into how people value the experience versus the utility of the ocean and the different value they attribute to the outcomes of ocean management versus the process deployed. Values do not group together by seafood sub-sector, although the importance of teaching, stewardship, and conservation and respect for the ocean’s resilience are common to all. On the other hand, the various perspectives most sharply diverge with respect to the role of aquaculture and special rights of access. This work demonstrates how the Q-method can help to identify, capture, and compare social values within a sector. In addition, this method can provide participants with a forum to discuss what is important and can provide a common vocabulary that cuts across existing constituencies. This has the potential to facilitate the consideration of a broad range of social values in ocean management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ten fishery cooperatives of the Pacific coast of Mexico were studied to examine reasons for successful community-based management of the fishery commons. The cooperatives hold exclusive rights to ‘concession’ territories for major fisheries and are linked by geographic adjacency and through a federation. The case study underscores the role of factors such as smallness of scale; the productivity, visibility and legibility of the resources and fisheries involved; clarity of social and territorial boundaries; adjacency and linkages among territorial units; a strong sense of community. The cooperatives also made considerable investments in attaining high levels of knowledge, leadership, transparent and democratic decision-making, and “vigilance,” or enforcement of the rules and the running of the organization. The study also shows the workings of windows of opportunity and experience with environmental change in the development of strong and adaptive capacities for co-management between local organizations and government agencies. Although particular histories and larger legal, political, and cultural contexts matter, the Mexican case supports arguments for greater community-level engagement in “catch share” and territorial management throughout the Pacific. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Managing public lands to maximize societal benefits requires spatially explicit understanding of societal valuation, and public participation geographic information systems (PPGIS) are increasingly used in coastal settings to accomplish this task. Social Values for Ecosystem Services (SolVES), a PPGIS tool that systematizes the mapping and modeling of social values and cultural ecosystem services, is promising for use in coastal settings but has seen relatively limited applications relative to other PPGIS approaches; it has also, to our knowledge, not yet been applied in a barrier island setting. In this study, we surveyed two visitor groups and residents living near Cape Lookout National Seashore (North Carolina, USA) to understand their social values in the context of the park's management needs. We developed social-value models to evaluate differences between three user groups (fall visitors, summer visitors, and residents) and to evaluate how respondents' experiences, attitudes, and recreational activities influence the locations they value and their most strongly held value types, which included aesthetic, recreation, biodiversity, future, therapeutic, and historic values. We found that accessibility, user types and the seasonality of major recreational activities, and the linear configuration of the barrier island system at Cape Lookout are important influences on the social values held by visitors and residents. The modeling results provide information relevant to management at Cape Lookout and can inform the design of future PPGIS studies in coastal and marine settings. • Growing use of PPGIS to understand coastal ecosystem services. • One-off studies predominate vs. use of tools like SolVES. • We apply SolVES to a U.S. national seashore. • Multiple analyses consider different user groups, activities, attitudes. • Access, user types & seasonality, barrier island configuration influenced values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Conventional top-down, exogenous approaches to fisheries management have been ineffective in more traditional and small-scale fisheries. Yet, there remains little understanding of the effectiveness of alternative approaches. This case-study of small-scale fisheries in the Comoros examines how effective local fishing associations are at managing common fisheries resources, and provides some understanding of the underlying characteristics of effectiveness. Emphasis is placed on assessing governance effectiveness according to characteristics appropriate within the local context, and on suggesting ways to enhance local institutional strength and capacity to manage resources. Qualitative methods were used to collect data on local governance structures and management tools, fishers’ knowledge and beliefs, and perceptions of the status of fisheries resources in four major fishing villages on the island of Ngazidja. Results show that fisheries management in the Comoros is informally shared between the State fisheries department, a national fishing syndicate, and village fishing associations. Village fishing associations play an active role in fisheries management by collectively designing, monitoring, and enforcing local regulations. Compliance with local regulations is high, primarily due to participatory decision-making, community-monitoring, and strong feelings of solidarity among fishers. Perceptions of the benefits of these regulations are also high. This suggests that by working within these pre-established informal management systems, collective governance of common pool resources can be achieved within communities, and feelings of empowerment and shared responsibility among resource users can lead to effective management practices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Alternative food networks (AFNs) for seafood employ different approaches along their diverse value chains, yet typically share five common attributes – supporting small-scale and place-based fishing operations through the provision of traceable , sustainable , and high-quality seafood products to customers. While a range of benefits from AFNs have been described, the potential for broad impacts of seafood AFNs remains largely unknown due to a range of constraints, including a lack of understanding of consumer preferences related to different seafood attributes, including those central to AFNs. This paper utilizes an online survey of consumers in Canada (n = 2006) to assess the potential demand for products supplied through seafood AFNs. Results indicate both barriers and opportunities for growing seafood AFNs. While respondents' top three consumed seafood species (salmon, tuna, and shrimp) aligned with North American consumption patterns, a willingness to substitute between species was also indicated, which could present market opportunities for seafood AFNs offering a variety of product options based on local seasonality and abundance. Respondents prioritized product quality attributes situated at the consumption end of the value chain (e.g., taste, appearance, freshness, affordability, health benefits, and seafood type) over harvesting-related features (e.g., sustainability, production method, and fair compensation to harvesters). In addition, despite some degree of willingness to pay (WTP) – especially for high quality seafood – respondents were not willing to pay large price premiums for other features emphasized by seafood AFNs. Finally, different consumer segments interact differently with seafood AFNs' five key features – for example, higher WTP was evidenced amongst younger consumers. Overall, the paper suggests that seafood AFNs should consider emphasizing their high-quality product offerings, pricing their products competitively, and targeting specific consumer segments when looking to expand into new markets. • Consumer preferences affect alternative food networks (AFNs) for seafood. • These preferences vary across regions and demographic groups. • Seafood AFNs may benefit from targeted marketing to these regions and groups. • Willingness to pay for seafood AFNs' product attributes is low to moderate. • Consumers prioritize consumer-facing over harvesting-related seafood features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts to expand the marine aquaculture industry often draw on a discourse of opportunity that highlights untapped potential for economic growth. This discourse also underlies the more general concept of Blue Economy in which oceans are a frontier for economic development. Marine aquaculture is seen as an important part of Blue Economy, but the current discourse overlooks evidence that straightforward trickle-down effects—from aggregate economic growth at the national level to holistic benefits at the community level—rarely exist for marine aquaculture. Using the case of marine aquaculture in the United States, we argue that a shift in focus to community wellbeing is necessary to realize the potential benefits of marine aquaculture expansion. More generally, we suggest that marine aquaculture illustrates the need to reorient Blue Economy to Blue Communities, a concept that draws on the multidimensional concept of wellbeing to foreground social, cultural, and environmental factors alongside economic growth. With attention to just and equitable governance embedded in place and context, marine aquaculture can grow in ways that enhance wellbeing in Blue Communities while supporting broader economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigenous peoples and their leadership remain steadfast in their commitment to manage and protect ancestral lands and waters throughout the world. In this regard, the landscape currently known as the central coast of British Columbia, Canada represents a complex and dynamic site of collaboration, negotiation, and conflict, as Indigenous leaders assert inherent rights, responsibilities, and authority to manage ancestral territories. However, while many scholars and practitioners advocate for Indigenous involvement in today's complex environmental management domain, there are few detailed examples of how Indigenous management authority is established and practiced at the community level. In this paper, we apply a decolonizing lens to examine how Indigenous authority may be advanced from the ground up. We begin with an argument for the Nuxalk Nation's jurisdiction in the management of eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus), a cultural keystone species functionally extirpated throughout Nuxalk territory. We show how the community engaged Sputc Project strengthened the Nation's inherent authority to manage eulachon by articulating and representing Nuxalk knowledges, broadly engaging community, and strengthening local systems of governance. Articulating key priorities for eulachon management, we suggest that the case of eulachon presents the Canadian state with an opportunity to align with inherent Indigenous rights and responsibilities and embrace collaborative, Nation-to-Nation management approaches. As such, this case study provides a practical example to inform those working toward Indigenous resurgence and self-determination, and those who wish to understand and respect these processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Research on women in fisheries tends to focus on their roles as processors and vendors, but rarely on their direct engagement in fishing and harvesting activities. As such, the contribution of fisherwomen to household income, food security, and even marine conservation is often overlooked. This case-study is a preliminary examination of artisanal fisherwomen in three communities on Ngazidja island, Comoros. Though women on Ngazidja have fished for generations, authorities have recently attempted to ban them from fishing as their practices are considered destructive to near-shore reefs and juvenile fish populations. The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to document and examine women''s fishing methods, impacts, and contributions to coastal livelihoods and food security on Ngazidja, and second, to make recommendations on potential management interventions. Qualitative methods were used to gather information on fisherwomen''s harvesting activities, fisheries knowledge, livelihood contributions, perceptions of resource status conditions, and informal management practices. Results indicate that women''s fishing methods can be destructive and may have contributed to localized declines in intertidal marine resources and habitats. Yet, fisherwomen also provide substantial contributions to household livelihoods and food security. Thus, banning the fishery altogether is not an acceptable solution. Instead, authorities should work to empower fisherwomen with the tools necessary to manage their fishery sustainably, which will eventually lead to improved conservation measures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]