The long-term evolution of news media in defining socio-ecological conflict: a case study of expanding aquaculture

Community conflict is increasingly associated with commercial uses of the marine environment. This research investigates the evolution of newspaper coverage of finfish aquaculture over a 25-year period and how it has reflected growing levels of community conflict common to much of the world’s salmon aquaculture production. A detailed case study suggests that by actively constraining debate to positive associations throughout the introduction and early growth stage of the industry lifecycle, companies and regulating agencies may have inadvertently: (i) eroded public trust by contributing to reader ambiguity and uncertainty relating to industry’s environmental credentials and publicised partnerships with transnational environmental groups; (ii) failed to promote an open dialogue and a more informed community regarding the real benefits and risks of production; and (iii) created a situation in which negative influences on public opinion post-turning point were magnified.