Environment and development in coastal regions and in small islands

Coastal region and small island papers 12: papers

COASTAL CONFLICT rESOLUTiON IN THE WHITE SEA / BARENTS SEA: CASE STUDY ON AQUACULTURE 

by Mikhail B. Shilin 

From 1996-2001, in the context of the UNESCO Coasts and Small Islands (CSI) pilot project, the anthropogenic activities in the coastal zone of the Murmansk Region (White Sea – Barents Sea) were mapped. The sustainability of port development, tidal power plant/dam construction, oil and gas mining, aquaculture, fishery and coastal logging was evaluated. The ecological sensitivity of coastal ecosystems was estimated. Negative effects on the coastal environment from different users were studied. Perspectives of different kinds of activities for sustainable human development in the coastal zone were recognized.

As a result of the ecological and social monitoring, aquaculture was recognized as a sustainable business in this developing region. At the same time, especially with cage farm aquaculture, the highest concentration of interests, problems, and conflicts were found.

Five main categories of user conflicts were revealed:

• development (port terminal construction, dumping),

• environmental and resource concerns (coastal water pollution and eutrophication, wetland impacts, rare species disturbance),

• theft and vandalism,

• lack of legislation and lead agency definition (confusing permit process etc.),

• boating.

The most pervasive issue facing aquaculture at the present time is the establishment of clear property rights to land, water, and species used in culture.

As a case study, the situation with the private cage farm ‘Udarnik’, and the State cage farm at the Knipovich Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography (PINRO), both located in the Palkin Bay, Kandalaksha Gulf, White Sea, was analysed. The positive effects of the fish farming on the local stakeholders were evident in a social study of the small fishermen’s settlement ‘Palkina Guba’. Negative effects of the farm on the marine bottom fauna and plankton were found, resulting from eutrophication processes. The ‘ecological safety’ of aquaculture was disowned as a dangerous myth.

The main farmers’ problems were theft, damage from the boats and oil leakages, attacks by seals and sea birds. Direct conflicts between farmers and the owners of the fishing boats, and between farmers and the Kandalaksha State Reserve, were observed. Brainstorming and round table discussions of the conflicts were organized with the active participation of the local stakeholders.

During the brainstorming sessions, the history of local traditional fish cultivation was analysed - aquaculture is one of the traditional local businesses for coastal stakeholders, and different viewpoints, values, and meanings were analysed. An attempt was made to reach consensus. A number of potential solutions have been identified to address user conflicts, these include:

• Policy solutions

  • pay special attention to aquaculture in coastal planning,

  • specify places and zones for aquaculture,

  • define the coordination and regulation agencies,

  • involve the farmers in the local administration's decision-making process.

• Scientific solutions

  • focus research on perceived environmental problems,

  • elaborate the new management practices, on the basis of integrated coastal management,

  • develop scientific research programs for the elaboration of new technologies.

• Educational solutions

  • educate legislators and agency officials,

  • educate the local people and the general public about aquaculture,

  • educate farmers regarding environmental problems.

In order to resolve the conflicts the following steps were undertaken:

1. Annual moving of the cages according to recommendations from the oceanographers and biologists (‘mobility principle’).

2. Optimisation of the feeding process (regime and types of food).

3. Establishment of anti-seal nets around the farms.

4. Organizing the training place for the students/future farmers.

5. Organizing educational farm visits for schoolchildren and tourists with expert guides.

In 2001, one of the ‘Palkina Bay’ farmers defended a diploma thesis in sustainable aquaculture at the Russian State Hydrometeorological University.

Goals for the future are:

• organising a broad, open, interdisciplinary discussion about the role of aquaculture in sustainable coastal development in Russia,

• analysis of post-positivists goals and beliefs in order to develop a consensus among stakeholders,

• adapting the local experience in the management of aquaculture to the regional scale in the White Sea - Barents Sea region,

• adaptation of round table technology for conflict resolution in other fields of human activities in the coastal zone, especially for new port development in Russia (White Sea - Barents Sea, Baltic Sea, Black Sea),

• preparation of a booklet about ‘Sustainable Polar Aquaculture’.

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