Browsing by Author "Rivera, Antonella"
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Item Exploring the adaptive capacity of the mussel mariculture industry in Chile(2020) San Martin, Valeska A.; Vásquez Lavín, Felipe; Roberto, Ponce; Ximena Paz, Lerdón; Rivera, Antonella; Serramalera, Leticia; Gelcich, StefanSocieties have adapted to climate and environmental variability throughout history. However, projected climate change poses multiple risks to mariculture because of the increased frequency of environmental threats that lie outside the realm of present day experience. Adaptive capacity evaluated in this study is a characteristic that would reflect mariculture industries ability to anticipate and respond to these changes, and to minimize, cope with, and recover from the consequences and take advantage of new opportunities arising from change. Drawing on a survey to 90 mussel mariculture companies in Chiloe-Chile, we have characterized the way the industry has adapted and recovered from specific stressors in productive capacity, namely; reduced mussel growth rates and reduced larval supply. We additionally assess determinants of the mussel industry's willingness to invest in building capacity to anticipate changes through analysing mussel aquaculture companies' assets to draw upon in times of need (capital; access to credit), the flexibility to change strategies, the companies' perception of the industry's social organization to act collectively (social capital), and their response to hypothetical scenarios regarding shocks in productive capacity. Results show heterogeneity in production decisions when facing environmental stressors. Results also show that the industry adapts in heterogeneous ways and that financial assets and social capital drive willingness to invest in adaptive capacity. Understanding past adaptation strategies and the willingness of the industry to invest in anticipating stressors allows us to begin exploring the consequences of new stressors. Importantly, as Chile and other countries are developing adaptation plans to face the multiple stressors of climate change, information about stakeholders' existing adaptation strategies and their determinants is becoming a critical bottleneck to inform these processes and assure they are in line with stakeholder needs and interest. While we use the Chilean mussel industry as a working example, the approach presented can inform other countries/regions wishing to explore the adaptive capacity of their aquaculture sectors.Item Stakeholder perceptions of enhancement opportunities in the Chilean small and medium scale mussel aquaculture industry(2017) Rivera, Antonella; Unibazo, Javier; Leon, Paula; Vásquez Lavín, Felipe; Ponce Oliva, Roberto; Mansur, Lidia; Gelcich, StefanThe Chilean mussel aquaculture industry is a prime example of a thriving industry. However, the industry growth rate, aquaculture concessions and market prices have stabilized signalling a shift in the industry from exponential growth to, if handled correctly, economic stability. Here we used perception research, an efficient tool to inform on the implementation of management strategies, to provide policy makers with the tools necessary for the development of strategies that will aid in the sustainability of the industry through its current shift. We assessed the perceptions of four main small and medium scale stakeholder groups in the mussel industry (i.e. seed collectors, growing centres, processing plants and service providers) on the challenges, obstacles and improvements in the industry. This information was divided into five main domains, namely: (1) finance, (2) human resources, (3) knowledge, (4) management and policy and, (5) technology and infrastructure, and was used to determine the gaps and opportunities that impact the biologic and economic productivity of the industry. Stakeholders displayed significantly different perceptions on the challenges, progress and obstacles they face, suggesting that segregation among groups exists. Despite this heterogeneity, there are areas that can provide the greatest enhancement opportunities for the industry; these are mainly based within the seed collectors group and the collection and transfer of local and scientific knowledge among all stakeholders. Notwithstanding the aforementioned areas, the Chilean mussel aquaculture industry perceives it is working towards overcoming its current obstacles and displays important progress in the incorporation of technology and infrastructure, finance and management domains. Our results indicate that with targeted interventions a promising future for the mussel aquaculture industry in Chile is achievable. Statement of interest: This study shows how perception research can be used to determine the gaps and enhancement opportunities in the productivity of developing aquaculture industries.