With aquaculture currently expanding throughout the United States, there is a pressing need to create tools that can accurately evaluate its social aspects.  This project aimed to identify the range and structure of social values and perceptions associated with shellfish aquaculture in Florida and to provide generalized information about the social dimensions of aquaculture in Florida.  Initial pilot interviews were conducted with a variety of industry professionals to develop a set of 45 representative statements covering aspects of the shellfish aquaculture industry ranging from seed procurement, siting, environmental challenges, relationships to surrounding communities and with management agencies, and thoughts on future directions of the industry. In subsequent interviews, participants were asked to rank the statements along a continuum from least to most closely match their own thinking and to further discuss their thoughts in relation to the statements and a set of open-ended questions. Our results indicate that the range of challenges and opportunities that Florida aquaculture industry professionals identify often differs according to region, position in the industry, and particular shellfish product farmed. A better understanding of these nuances can help lead to improved communication with policymakers and more context-specific regulations. 

For more information email boucqun@eckerd.edu