Positive tipping points for the sustainable growth of bivalve shellfish aquaculture in England and Wales. Case Studies Workshop Report

Abstract

This report captures the findings of a multi-stakeholder workshop examining the application of the positive tipping points (PTP) framework for catalysing the sustainable growth of shellfish aquaculture in England (and Wales), which has considerable growth potential, but has recently stagnated. In this context, the PTP framework was used to map the relationships between actors and processes to identify environmental and socio-economic factors that are constraining shellfish aquaculture and key opportunities (leverage points) for making interventions and amplifying feedbacks to reinforce positive future change. The future vision is for shellfish aquaculture to be equitable with agriculture and fisheries in terms of profile and support in the UK Government strategy for sustainable food production and the National Food Strategy. The workshop focused initially on five case studies from around south west (SW) England, but findings may also considered relevant for other devolved nations of the UK (including Wales). The case studies covered new qualitative and quantitative evidence of shellfish aquaculture-environment interactions, new risk-based methods for assuring product safety, and new policy developments (e.g. on licencing of Pacific oysters). Each case study addressed issues within the thematic areas of “licencing” and/or “classification” of shellfish sites and species. Workshop participants were then asked to identify and evaluate other thematic issues, constraints and opportunities beyond those highlighted in the five case studies, including socio-economic issues and constraints around public perception, social licence, market access and product diversification/appeal. Opportunities for interventions were then prioritised and sequenced, with a view to unlocking these constraints (based on likely impact and probability of success). Key early interventions for facilitating near-term growth in the shellfish aquaculture sector include providing essential guidance and support for obtaining licenses and finance for shellfish production and ensuring that licensing timescales are aligned with planning and operational timescales, to improve accessibility. More dynamic, responsive and risk-based monitoring and classification of water quality is also required to avoid precautionary long-term down-grading in classification, while also ensuring that human safety risks are detected and managed. The necessary tools are in place or being developed to enable these interventions, including the Cefas Regulatory Toolkit, the new English Aquaculture Portal and the Developing Assurance Scheme Shellfish and Human Health (DASSHH). There is huge scope for technical innovation to improve monitoring, regulation and quality assurance as aquaculture develops. As the sector grows, poor water quality is likely to become an ever more important constraint, requiring more holistic management at the landscape level, underpinned by the polluter pays principle. Other medium-term interventions concern the diversification of markets for shellfish, including processed products, which are attractive, palatable and amenable (with longer shelf-lives than fresh products) and also tradeable ecosystem services beyond food provisioning, such as nutrient regulation, coastal protection and habitat provisioning.