Site selection and carrying capacity in Mediterranean ... - FAO Sipam

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C. Social Acceptability
This guide presents the concept of social acceptability and its direct relevance and importance to site
selection and site management. The concept is defined and characterized and the public perception of
it is discussed, together with criteria and tools to assess it and guidelines to achieve it. Social
acceptability is considered a key issue to ensure the sustainable development of aquaculture in the
Mediterranean.
Principle
Social acceptability should be considered an objective of the site selection and site
management process in order to ensure the establishment and permanence of the aquaculture
project in the long term.
Guidelines
Social acceptability is an objective that should be considered from the outset in any
aquaculture project. This general rule is particularly relevant in the Mediterranean region,
given the annually increasing pressures of coastline occupancy and use.
Communication, information and transparency should be established to foster a dialogue
amongst stakeholders and ensure social acceptability. Information exchange amongst
stakeholders is vital to ensure that the consequences of the acceptance or rejection of a project
are properly analysed.
Cultural parameters are particular to each Mediterranean region and should be
considered individually when building social acceptability. The multicultural nature of the
Mediterranean adds complexity to the process of achieving social acceptability. These
parameters need to be identified, analysed and integrated in the selection and management of
aquaculture sites.
Social acceptability and the consequent sustainability of an aquaculture project should be
based on the creation of a ‘quality image’ for aquaculture. Aquaculture is still unknown to
society in general. It is therefore necessary to invest in communication and education to
improve people’s understanding of site selection and all other aquaculture processes through a
quality scheme.
D. The Precautionary Principle
This guide presents the concept of the precautionary principle and its application to the various
aspects of site selection and site management. Definitions and methods for the implementation of
the concept are given and special attention is paid to the limits between benefits and drawbacks in
the application of the precautionary principle.
Principle
The precautionary principle should be applied in the aquaculture site selection and site management
processes.
Guidelines
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