Opportunities and challenges for small-scale aquaculture: The stakeholders’ perspective in Los Lagos Region-Chile

Heidi J Albers,Kelly Yubini,Carlos Chávez,Marjorie Baquedano,Jorge Dresdner

doi:10.7764/ijanr.v48i3.2316

Abstract

We identify and explore the potential opportunities and challenges for promoting and expanding small-scale aquaculture (SSA) as an additional income-generating activity for coastal communities in southern Chile. Based on a conceptual model of SSA adoption decisions, we conducted field key informant semistructured interviews with stakeholders in the Los Lagos region and in the regional capital city, Puerto Montt. We conducted a qualitative analysis of the interviews to identify potential resource users’ perceptions of current SSA opportunities. Interpreting the content analysis results through the lens of economic decisions in the conceptual model, we find that weak monitoring and enforcement, difficulties in adapting to new jobs, limited recent spatial planning, constraints on access to marine user rights, and insufficient market development for marine products are among the main obstacles to the adoption of SSA. The stakeholders view SSA as an opportunity to expand marine-based productive activities under the continuous decline in wild fisheries. SSA adoption is perceived as a gradual transition process that requires cultural capital and knowledge, given the lack of familiarity with management and the legal and economic aspects of aquaculture. In contrast to the concerns of potential SSA adopters, government stakeholders emphasize concern over the lack of definitions for SSA, norms, and regulations. We discuss how public policy to promote SSA in Chile could target the key concerns of potential SSA adopters.

Highlights

The aquaculture sector has experienced a rapid increase in production at the global level in recent decades, contributing to food security, employment, and new income opportunities in several regions of the world (Garlock et al, 2020).1 most aquaculture production occurs in industrial sectors, small-scale aquaculture (SSA) is seen as an opportunity to provide alternative livelihood options for local communities in developing and transitional countries (Salazar et al, 2017; Kaliba et al, 2007; E-Jahan et al, 2010; Ahmed & Lorica, 2002)
We identify and explore the potential opportunities and challenges for promoting and increasing small-scale aquaculture (SSA) as an additional income-generating activity for coastal communities in southern Chile based on the views of stakeholders
To elucidate the range of potential responses to such opportunities, we develop a conceptual framework of SSA activity adoption and use it to interpret the results of a qualitative analysis of stakeholder interview discussions

Summary

Introduction

The aquaculture sector has experienced a rapid increase in production at the global level in recent decades, contributing to food security, employment, and new income opportunities in several regions of the world (Garlock et al, 2020). most aquaculture production occurs in industrial sectors, small-scale aquaculture (SSA) is seen as an opportunity to provide alternative livelihood options for local communities in developing and transitional countries (Salazar et al, 2017; Kaliba et al, 2007; E-Jahan et al, 2010; Ahmed & Lorica, 2002). Most aquaculture production occurs in industrial sectors, small-scale aquaculture (SSA) is seen as an opportunity to provide alternative livelihood options for local communities in developing and transitional countries (Salazar et al, 2017; Kaliba et al, 2007; E-Jahan et al, 2010; Ahmed & Lorica, 2002). These opportunities could be especially relevant in countries with highly productive coastal areas facing the negative impacts of declining fishing activities.. With most of the main fisheries either overexploited or collapsed (Subsecretaría de Pesca y Acuicultura, 2019a), the Chilean government has proposed SSA as a means to generate new income opportunities (Subsecretaría de Pesca y Acuicultura, 2019b, CORFO 2016). far, government programs to promote SSA to diversify the production alternatives for coastal communities and artisanal fishers have focused mainly on the financial and technical aspects and on defining a specific set of rules/norms for its operation, without specific consideration of the willingness to adopt SSA or the obstacles, challenges, and opportunities to that adoption from the perspective of stakeholders.

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Discussion

Conclusion