Research into stakeholder perceptions of conventional aquaculture has focused upon issues such as risk, impact on other users of marine space, and the factors influencing consumers. However, some of these issues may become redundant with new aquaculture practices such as Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). For practices such as IMTA to realise their potential they must be socially acceptable and this may depend on satisfying key stakeholders. This study used in-depth interviews to identify potential concerns of stakeholders as well as perceived benefits in relation to the development of IMTA to a commercial level of production. A total of 44 interviews were conducted across 12 stakeholder groups in six countries: Cyprus, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Norway and Scotland. Levels of awareness and understanding of IMTA were mixed across stakeholder groups and across countries. Concerns were raised including: spatial location issues, food safety and disease. Perceived benefits of IMTA included: waste utilisation, minimisation of impacts to the benthos and the filtering of sea lice larvae. Also recognised as important was the creation of new income streams. The results showed that some issues/ benefits were more important in certain countries. Risks to the environment, risks arising from governance and risks to the industry itself were raised, but stakeholders felt that these sources of risk could be addressed by research studies, education and changes to legislation. Stakeholders also believed that IMTA could contribute to improving the image of the aquaculture industry. For IMTA to successfully move forward from pilot scale to commercial scale development, it is imperative that the issues raised in this study form priorities for reform and action.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	aquaculture, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, social acceptability, stakeholder, perceptions, sustanability
Research Division:	Human Society
Research Group:	Human geography
Research Field:	Human geography not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:	Environmental Management
Objective Group:	Coastal and estuarine systems and management
Objective Field:	Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems
UTAS Author:	Alexander, KA (Dr Karen Alexander)
ID Code:	107755
Year Published:	2016
Web of Science® Times Cited:	42
Deposited By:	IMAS Research and Education Centre
Deposited On:	2016-03-23
Last Modified:	2018-04-05
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