Project

Stakeholder Perceptions of Offshore Aquaculture in the Gulf

Full Title: Understanding Stakeholder Perceptions of Offshore Aquaculture and the Velella Epsilon Project in the Gulf of Mexico
This project tackles obstacles hindering offshore aquaculture development in the U.S., focusing on the Velella Epsilon project near Sarasota, Florida. Despite attempts to alleviate public concerns through engagement and data collection, delays in permitting due to litigation and opposition have occurred, prompting stakeholder research to understand public perceptions and promote informed decision-making.

Lead Investigator: Dr. Sarah Lester, Biological Science Faculty Member slester@fsu.edu, Hayley Lemoine Hayley.lemoine@gmail.com
Project Team: Dr. Laura Tiu Walton County Extension Agent Florida Sea Grant
Award Amount: $50,000
Year Funded: 2022
Award Period: 12/15/22-12/14/23
Project Abstract:

This project aims to address the current challenges facing offshore aquaculture development in the United States, focusing on the Velella Epsilon demonstration project off the coast of Sarasota, Florida. Despite efforts to address public concerns through data collection and public engagement, permitting and deployment of the project have faced significant delays due to litigation and opposition from various groups. To address social resistance and promote equitable development, this project proposes stakeholder-engagement research in the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice metropolitan area, aiming to better understand public perceptions of offshore aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico and disseminate accurate information to decision-makers and the general public.

A no-cost extension was approved through 12/31/24. This extension will allow time to analyze and write up the research findings, present at the 2024 Aquaculture America conference, and continue the blog series “AquaCurious” on the Florida Sea Grant website, without needing an additional teaching position.

To date, the researcher has conducted 154 interviews with various stakeholder groups, including aquatic farmers, commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, seafood buyers, and politicians, as well as 19 focus groups with the public across Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Southern California. Specifically, 71 interviews encompassing all stakeholder groups and 6 public focus groups were conducted along the Gulf Coast of Florida, covering areas such as Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Venice, Fort Myers, Naples, and the Keys. Additionally, two separate weeks of interviews and focus groups are planned in Alaska for this spring (February and May). Currently, the researcher is transcribing and cleaning the Florida data and developing a codebook for analysis. Preliminary findings suggest that offshore aquaculture may not be as controversial as portrayed in the media or public comments on pending farm permits, and that the Sarasota community’s resistance to the Velella Epsilon project diminishes when a more diverse group of stakeholders is involved compared to those represented in public comments on pending farm permits.

Pioneers, Permits, and Patience: My HARVEST Experience Working On Offshore Aquaculture in the Gulf – Florida Sea Grant (flseagrant.org)

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