A Framework for Growth and Sustainability in Fish Farming

Presenter Information

Zach Arfa, Oberlin College

Location

Virtual presentation

Document Type

Presentation

Start Date

4-27-2020 8:00 AM

End Date

5-2-2020 5:00 PM

Abstract

Aquaculture is a huge source of seafood for the globe, and the industry is projected to grow enormously in the next fifty years. As climate change continues to change the environmental and economic landscape of the world, governments and communities will need new ways of evaluating and regulating the industry at a large scale. Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), a land-based aquaculture method, has been proposed as the most sustainable form of aquaculture, and of meat production. I conducted interviews with stakeholders involved in two proposed industrial scale RAS aquaculture facilities located 25 miles apart in eastern Maine. I analyzed the differences between the facilities from a policy perspective to understand why one facility received push back while the other did not. I then analyzed the conflict surrounding the facility receiving push back from a psychological perspective. Through this interdisciplinary approach, I propose a framework for comparing RAS facilities to each other, and to other more traditional facilities. This framework weighs three factors: impact on the environment, the community, and the economy. I also propose psychologically realistic ways to work with multiple stakeholders to meet these goals. As this industry grows in the US, it must be done as sustainably as possible. Using this method, communities across the country can evaluate and regulate the growth of this industry over the coming years.

Keywords:

Aquaculture, Sustainability, Meat production, Climate change

Notes

Click here to view this presentation at the Office of Undergraduate Research website from April 27-May 2, 2020.

Major

Psychology

Project Mentor(s)

Cindy Frantz, Psychology
Catherine Robinson-Hall, The Williams-Mystic Maritime Studies Program

April 2020

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Apr 27th, 8:00 AM May 2nd, 5:00 PM

A Framework for Growth and Sustainability in Fish Farming

Virtual presentation

Aquaculture is a huge source of seafood for the globe, and the industry is projected to grow enormously in the next fifty years. As climate change continues to change the environmental and economic landscape of the world, governments and communities will need new ways of evaluating and regulating the industry at a large scale. Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), a land-based aquaculture method, has been proposed as the most sustainable form of aquaculture, and of meat production. I conducted interviews with stakeholders involved in two proposed industrial scale RAS aquaculture facilities located 25 miles apart in eastern Maine. I analyzed the differences between the facilities from a policy perspective to understand why one facility received push back while the other did not. I then analyzed the conflict surrounding the facility receiving push back from a psychological perspective. Through this interdisciplinary approach, I propose a framework for comparing RAS facilities to each other, and to other more traditional facilities. This framework weighs three factors: impact on the environment, the community, and the economy. I also propose psychologically realistic ways to work with multiple stakeholders to meet these goals. As this industry grows in the US, it must be done as sustainably as possible. Using this method, communities across the country can evaluate and regulate the growth of this industry over the coming years.