The Media's Portrayal of Offshore Aquaculture in the Pacific and How it Affects the Public Perception of the Aquaculture Industry

Item Summary

Title:	The Media's Portrayal of Offshore Aquaculture in the Pacific and How it Affects the Public Perception of the Aquaculture Industry
Authors:	Papacek, Katherine
Contributors:	Leong, Kirsten (advisor) Winter, Jenifer (advisor) Oceanography (department) Global Environmental Science (department)
Keywords:	communities public relations aquaculture
Date Issued:	2018
Publisher:	University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Place of Publication:	Honolulu
Abstract:	As the aquaculture industry continues to develop, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is proposing to establish a Federal Aquaculture Permit Program in Federal waters of the Pacific Islands Region (PIR) based on recommendations from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council). This proposed program may have a variety of implications for the states and U.S. territories in the region, which includes the islands of Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. However, for many individuals living in this region, it is still unclear whether the potential benefits of aquaculture production outweigh the environmental and socio-economic risks. To gain insight on the public’s perception of the aquaculture industry and improve future communications, this study conducted a content analysis of regional newspaper articles pertaining to offshore finfish aquaculture in the Pacific Ocean from 2000-2017. This outlet of communication was chosen because media coverage is often an important source of information for consumers and the general public. Initial public scoping comments on preliminary alternatives of NOAA’s Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed Pacific islands Region Aquaculture Management Program were also evaluated. Articles were coded for themes related to topics discussed (e.g., risks and benefits of offshore aquaculture), tone (e.g., positive, negative), and sources referenced. Key findings include an evaluation of the frequency of themes portrayed throughout the media as well as an in-depth analysis of public or stakeholder opinion of offshore aquaculture. The overall intent of this research and the subsequent recommendations is to provide insights into public perceptions of the aquaculture v industry that may contribute to strengthening policy decisions for finfish aquaculture throughout the Western Pacific.
Pages/Duration:	67 pages
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/10125/69389
Rights:	All UHM dissertations and theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission from the copyright owner.
Rights Holder:	Papacek, Katherine
Appears in Collections:	Global Environmental Science Theses

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