Sustainable and Secure Fish Farms: Understanding the Social Practices and Processes Relating to Aquaculture and Biosecurity

Abstract

This thesis examines what it means to do biosecurity and fish farming well, on freshwater finfish (trout) farms in England and Wales. At the core of this question is what biosecurity means as attention shifts from disease pathways to animal health matters. A mixed-method approach of survey data, embedded participant research alongside a Q-methodology was utilised to uncover a new understanding of what it really means to practice biosecurity on fish farms. By framing the research question with the conceptual lens of social practice theory, this research argues for a new understanding of why practices related to biosecurity occur and persist. Consequently, this thesis offers five new contributions to biosecurity and aquaculture knowledge. Firstly, this thesis identifies the unique relationship between agents of the state tasked with monitoring and enforcing biosecurity policies and those fish farmers who must comply with such policies. Secondly, the omnipresent threat of endemic disease is highlighted as the most significant influencing factor for fish farmers across the industry. How they approach endemic disease issues reflects how they conceptualise the broader issues of biosecurity within the industry. Thirdly, the examination and argument for the important role that care occupies within the industry as a pillar of successful disease management. Fourthly, the suitability of social practice theory as a conceptual lens to examine this industry and the theoretical question of biosecurity provide a nuanced understanding of the subjectivities in doing biosecurity well. Fifthly, the importance of practices of care and how they relate to biosecurity practices on farms.