Enabling transition thinking on complex issues (wicked problems): A framework for future circular economic transitions of plastic management in the Norwegian fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

Abstract

In the 21st Century, marine plastic pollution emerges as a prominent wicked issue, posing threats to planetary boundaries, biological and anthropogenic systems. Such complex and multiscale issues significantly contribute to the degradation of our land and ocean ecosystem. For example, loss of aquatic life due to ghost fishing or microplastic pollution from broken-down plastics in the oceans. These 'wicked societal issues' can no longer be resolved through our existing societal structures and methods. The aquaculture and fisheries sectors are significant contributors to plastic marine debris globally. However, research and practices on this matter have been fragmented, siloed, and often limited to specific value chain sections (material science, waste). If more sustainable circular practices are to be realised in the use and management of plastic in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, interdisciplinary-cross sector co-operation is required, which addresses such global issues at the local level. Using Norway and early findings from the SHIFTPLASTICs project as a case study, this paper presents how interdisciplinary co-production framed by the Systems Design Approach + has enabled creative spaces whereby: 1) a clear identification of the most problematic areas of plastic pollution across the whole service model value chain, and, 2) targeted measures in enabling the transition to more sustainable circular practices and plastic pollution mitigation in the sectors. Key findings include the logic, development, application, and outcomes of the SDA + methodological approach. This includes enabling interdisciplinary co-development and critiquing the Norwegian service model value chain of plastic pollution in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The identification and potential solutions in tackling 16-plastic pollution ‘hot spots’ of the most problematic plastic-based products for the sectors. We conclude that the Systems Design Approach + framework, as undertaken, has enabled collaborative spaces and interactions suitable to generate knowledge, insights, tool development, and creativity in pursuit of innovation and circular transitions for these wicked societal issue. This approach has potential for scalability.