Abstract
The clam fishing and aquaculture system in the Venice Lagoon still appears insufficiently resilient to buffer external and internal perturbations, such as productivity fluctuations, unregulated fishing, and market related dynamics, despite the efforts of regional and local authorities to achieve the sustainable development. According to the System Approach Framework (SAF), based on previous studies and stakeholder interactions, we developed a model integrating ecological, social, and economic (ESE) aspects. We chose the aspects necessary to represent the essential dynamics of major ecological, social, and economic clam farming system components to project the consequences of implementing alternative management policies and to address the ecological and social carrying capacity. Results of the simulations suggest that a properly managed farming system can sustain an acceptable income and support the local community, while reducing negative environmental impacts, social conflicts, and consumer health risks and improving system resilience. The results highlight the importance of an interdisciplinary, participatory, and adaptive approach in planning the management of this important renewable resource.
Highlights
Multiple-use conflict is a common issue in European coastal zones
We chose the aspects necessary to represent the essential dynamics of major ecological, social, and economic clam farming system components to project the consequences of implementing alternative management policies and to address the ecological and social carrying capacity
In particular we explore ecological and social carrying capacity of clam farming in the lagoon
Summary
Multiple-use conflict is a common issue in European coastal zones. Without proper management, the unregulated superposition of drivers may lead to a chronic conflict among hardened stakeholders or to the selective survival of the few more relevant activities, with a drastic reduction of the system complexity and the consequent loss of its adaptive capability. Socioeconomic activities that have a local/marginal impact on the global economy are at risk of being badly managed because they might require efforts that are apparently too large in comparison to the benefits they provide. In these cases, unplanned dynamics can emerge and drive a system toward unwanted configurations. Exploitation of the clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) resource in the Venice Lagoon is a case in point (Solidoro et al 2010). Different stakeholders have shown different attitudes toward clam farming in the Venice Lagoon, sometimes conflicting with each other
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
