International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

A revolution without people? Closing the people–policy gap in aquaculture development (2015)

Failure of the blue revolutionis a global risk. Theinternational problemis that thereis a gapin knowledge exchange between the aquacultureindustry, policymakers trying to support aquaculture development and peoplewho depend on aquaculture for a job and/or food source. Thus, governments and international organizations promoting aquaculture as the solution to improving food security, nutrition and income are failing to optimise production of natural aquatic resources. We identify a “people–policy gap”, and suggest that this is an understudied constraint, which needs to be overcome before worldwide food security can be achieved from aquatic environments.We argue that this gap leads to uneven distribution of benefits, a disconnection between benefits and local needs, and detrimental effects on human health and food security, all of which can have negative repercussions on human communities and ecosystems. In order to address this need, we present an analytical framework to guide context specific, policy-relevant assessments of the social, economic and ecological dimensions of aquaculture on a case-by-case basis. The framework is designed to make best use of existing data and scientific tools for decision-making.

06 sep. 2018

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A revolution without people? Closing the people–policy gap in aquaculture development (2015).pdf