Help with community concerns.
-
Hi There,
We have applied for a lease off the coast of Augusta Western Australia and have received a lot of backlash from the community with unsubstantiated concerns. I have listed a summary of the community concerns below..
I am looking for advice and supporting documents to help ease the concerns and get the community on board? Any help will be greatly apricated.
Once the community concerns have been addressed and the application is approved, I will share all relevant information with the green waves community and hopefully help other Ocean farmers through the application process.
Kind Regards,
Paul English,
coastalfarms.au@gmail.com
Community concerns:
- Entanglement – 3.5km of lines in 10 hectares of seabed represent a large risk of entanglement for marine animals ranging from whale cows and their calves to dolphins and sealions. As local citizens can attest, all of these come very close to shore – whales have been sighted within 100m. The proposal refers to an undefined management strategy to prevent entanglement – though it suggests it is unlikely due to shallow waters. These do not equate. The risk of whale entanglement is impossible to fully mitigate.
- Habitat impact – the proposal suggests that the habitat has not been identified as sensitive. All habitats are sensitive, particularly in light of the pressures of climate change. What is the seabed shadow profile of the proposed activities?
- Loss of access to productive greenlip, brownlip and roei abalone due to the growing structures obstructing or interfering in diving vessels access.
- The WA abalone is industry is the only abalone fishery with MSC certification in the world and this may be impacted by the aquaculture venture.
- Introduced seaweeds and oysters can grow directly in the abalone habitat (granite and limestone).
- These species do not occur naturally in the reef systems and can take over natural habitat or grow directly on the abalone themselves.
- An aquaculture lease in this area will displace fishing effort and impinge upon the historic access rights of licence holders actively fishing in long standing managed fisheries
- Licence holders would be negatively impacted on their viable business operations that may flow on to other local businesses
- A strong recreational presence is noted in the area
- Whilst the commercial industry is not opposed to the business idea, the negative impact from a loss of fishing grounds or current operations are of serious concern to the community
- This is of a concerning nature to us as we operate whale watching tours in the region throughout the winter months, has any research been done into the possible impact this will have on the wildlife?
- This proposal destroys a major recreational use and undermines the ethos and amenity of the foreshore area.
- Farming structures will inadvertently create artificial Fish Attracting Devices, which will cause unresearched impact on commercial and recreational fishing and fish stocks of the area, particularly so close to Augusta Harbour.
- Boats attempting to navigate, particularly to and from the Blackwood rivermouth, may be obstructed by farming infrastructure.
@paul_english -Hi, most of those concerns to be legitimate from the point of view of people that don't know much about what you're trying to do and/or have existing business/activities that use the area that you're proposing to farm in. Note that I said they are "legitimate from their point of view" and not simply legitimate.
If aquaculture isn't common in your area you should expect this type of reaction. It means that people are paying attention. You're job now is to collect data (science not hyperbole or fear based anecdotes) and educate those that have expressed concerns. Some people will refuse to get on board while many, I have found in my area, once educated and treated with respect will see that what you are doing will have a net positive effect in nearly all, if not all, of the concerns that they raised and some of them will likely become advocates on your behalf.
For example, for the people that are worried about you taking fishing grounds out of circulation. That is a true comment.. but it's 10 hectares out of a total of what? I suspect you're taking less than .01% out of circulation and there is evidence that you're improving the fishery adjacent to the farm.
By looking at the map it does look like the 3 hectare area will be a navigational issue around that river opening.. explain your reasoning for being there and what/how boaters will deal with this. Go to the local marina and hold a meeting, etc.
@mike_spranger -Thanks for the advice Mike, I really appreciate the help.
@mike_spranger -Thanks for the advice Mike, I really appreciate the help.
@paul_english - It may be helpful to read this heated debate in the comments section of a North Carolina newspaper op-ed opposing oyster farming in the region (scroll down the the NCSGA president response). This exchange is a good example of the type of public misunderstanding and reticence towards the ocean farming industry that you might face, and the public education and advocacy that may be required to gain support in your region.
Keep us posted on how it goes for you!
@jwhis - Thanks a million for the advice, It came at a perfect time.
I have attached two articles with similar context to the link you sent. The first is from a concerned resident worried about the views from his AirB&B near our proposed site, He actually lives in Hawaii. His true agenda is masked under false concerns. The second article is our reply which has brought a lot of community support since it was printed.
Hopefully this will help other people going through the application process.
Thanks again for the help,
Paul.
@paul_english - that's amazing! Keep us posted on how your farm goes!
@paul_english - The general advice given to starting seaweed farmers is to build social license before you apply for a license. People need to be educated and brought aboard ahead of any planned farming activity. Outreach and education are essential.
@jwhis - Thanks a million for the advice, It came at a perfect time.
I have attached two articles with similar context to the link you sent. The first is from a concerned resident worried about the views from his AirB&B near our proposed site, He actually lives in Hawaii. His true agenda is masked under false concerns. The second article is our reply which has brought a lot of community support since it was printed.
Hopefully this will help other people going through the application process.
Thanks again for the help,
Paul.
@paul_english - that's amazing! Keep us posted on how your farm goes!