Скачать или смотреть 2021 MSWC Session 5-Cynthia Houston, University of Maine

2021 MAINE SUSTAINABILITY & WATER CONFERENCE - 3/31/2021

Session 5 - Exploring stakeholder risk and benefit perceptions of Maine’s land-based salmon aquaculture projects

Cynthia Houston1 (student), Dr. Laura N. Rickard1, Dr. Bridie McGreavy1, Dr. Brandon B. Johnson2
1. Dept. of Communication and Journalism, University of Maine, Orono, ME
2. Senior Research Scientist, Decision Research, Eugene, OR

Greater understanding of the dynamics between aquaculture entrepreneurs and local communities can enhance federal and state efforts to promote a strong and sustainable U.S. aquaculture sector. In particular, as recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facilities to raise a variety of finfish species are proposed in multiple locations in Maine, research is needed not just to inform technical and biological decision-making, but also to guide best practices for understanding, documenting, and responding to community concerns on proposed RAS sites, practices, and facilities.

Our study reports on one aspect of a mixed method, multi-site case study utilizing semi-structured, in-depth interviews with key stakeholders (e.g., community members, town officials, corporate officers, journalists, and state and local lawmakers) (N = 20) involved in the ongoing efforts to locate land-based, salmon RAS facilities in Bucksport and Belfast, Maine. Adopting a grounded theory approach, team-based, qualitative coding of the interview transcripts followed the ‘‘constant comparative method,” with emergent results informing subsequent data collection and analysis.

In this presentation, we present preliminary findings from these ongoing interviews, which have covered topics including sense of place, environmental risks and benefits of aquaculture, community development and resilience, and public outreach about the RAS facilities. In addition to exploring implications for risk communication and perception theory, we also suggest how emergent data may inform applied communication practice.

For more information about the 2021 Maine Sustainability & Water Conference, go to https://umaine.edu/mitchellcenter/202....