Aquaculture has been highlighted in Sweden and the EU as a sustainable food production method with significant potential for the future. This report focuses on extractive aquaculture, which includes the cultivation of mussels, oysters, algae, sea squirts, and other species that do not require supplemental feeding nor fertilizer. Currently, the aquaculture sector in Sweden is relatively small, and for aquaculture to become a significant part of Swedish and European food production, it needs to expand.There are several obstacles to the development of the aquaculture sector in Sweden.
A significant hindrance is the high degree of competition for suitable marine areas, which can lead to new or intensified conflicts of interest. Coastal zone planning has been proposed as an essential tool for managing these conflicts, but previous studies have shown that existing plans have not resulted in proactive management of how the sea is utilized.To enhance our understanding of the challenges faced by the aquaculture sector, this report focuses on the relationship between aquaculture and other interests – in particular, outdoor recreation and boating in and around the sea in the Lysekil area. Specifically, it aims to investigate how involved stakeholders perceive the conflict of interest and explore potential opportunities for coexistence and synergies between aquaculture and other interests.
The research includes document analysis of coastal zone plans and permit applications, as well as interviews with relevant stakeholders.The findings show that municipal coastal zone planning, along with permit assessments conducted by both the County Administrative Board and the court, attempts to manage and prevent conflicts of interest. This is pursued through the geographical separation of assumed opposing interests. However, the interviews indicates that the conflict of interest between aquaculture and other interests is not perceived as prominent at present. It is likely that the perceived low level of conflict stems from the relatively small-scale nature of aquaculture activities in the studied area. Some interviewees have expressed concern that an expansion of aquaculture operations in the area may change the appearance of the archipelago and alter the unique character of coastal communities. Specifically, there is concern that aquaculture activities could encroach upon areas and locations frequently used by recreational boats, and potentially diminish the experiential value associated with leisure boating. Aquaculture and boating both seek to utilize sheltered shallow water areas for their respective activities.
At the same time, municipal coastal zone planning and interviewed stakeholders highlight that values associated with boating are also jeopardized by the activity itself, as the use and size of leisure boats have significantly increased.Opportunities for coexistence and synergies between aquaculture and other interests, and conditions that could enable such opportunities, have been emphasized by some of the interviewed stakeholders. One noteworthy example is the collaborations between tourism and aquaculture that have occurred in the area. In that case, boat charter tours would stop at aquaculture sites to provide information about the operations and allow observation of the cultivation process.
Another example mentioned by the interviewees is that aquaculture could reduce the disturbing aspects of recreational boat traffic by requiring boats to slow down in their vicinity. This approach could potentially reduce conflicts related to recreational boating, such as noise, wake, and safety concerns. Some interviewees also emphasize aquaculture as an opportunity for coastal communities to create local employment within sectors that build upon the cultural heritage associated with traditional coastal fishing.While the study relies on a limited number of interviews, it offers intriguing insights that provides the foundation for more in-depth research in the future. One conclusion is that conflicts of interest associated with aquaculture largely lie in the future as the aquaculture sector grows. To avoid conflicts of interest, and enable coexistence and synergy effects, it is important that coastal zone planning is developed, and that the link between plans and permit examination is strengthened.