There is growing interest and support for expanding mariculture to complement fisheries’ seafood production. But neither ocean farming nor fishing can occur just anywhere, and the space needs for both are complex. Thus, integrating new mariculture activity with ongoing fisheries activities requires particular attention to their respective needs for space. Current mariculture development processes and associated mapping efforts fall short.
Through discussions with agency staff, fishermen and mariculturists, we identified information gaps and needs for improving the understanding of space use needs. We found a general lack of knowledge about 1) the diversity of fisheries, 2) interpretation of fisheries data, including recognition of the usefulness and limitations of the data, 3) key fisheries information needed to inform the mariculture development process and ways to obtain and synthesize it, and 4) effective ways to engage fishing communities and integrate information about their space uses and needs in the process. We also identified key issues (Table 1) and potential solutions (Table 2) for addressing them.
Based on our findings, we developed an interactive StoryMap website, Sharing Ocean Space to Enhance Seafood Production, which includes: 1) Introduction to the Issue, 2) Current Processes, 3) Mapping Efforts, 4) Mapping Fisheries, 5) Beyond Mapping, 6) Improving the Process and 7) More Info. Using California’s Santa Barbara Channel as an example, we illustrate how mapping can be useful and provide information sheets about the limitations and considerations required when using fisheries data. We provide examples and tools for developing fisheries profiles to help build understanding of fishery space needs to better inform mariculture site selection. We also describe the issues and potential solutions and identify additional sources of information. Sharing ocean space can be challenging, but a process based on improved understanding and engagement – a key aim of the website – will facilitate continued and enhanced seafood production.