Synthesis and Lessons Learned

Abstract

This synthesis now returns our discussions to some of the ideas and questions that were posed in the introduction by reexamining them from the point of view of the lessons learned from the selected cases. These issues are then further examined as part of a broader set of lessons learned around successes in aquaculture with the aim of developing improved guidance or influencing strategies around possible steps to follow; steps in the further development of this set of ideas, and indeed in the sector as a whole.

The original purposes in developing the case studies presented before were to:

• highlight experiences in aquaculture development which have led to positive social change and negligible ecosystem impacts

• provide a better understanding of the factors and approaches leading to sustainable aquaculture growth combined with positive societal changes

• show that small scale farmers have incentives for and can act responsibly

• provide a direction for future policy change and collective improvement to ensure sustainability of the sector, and

• attempt to mitigate negative public perceptions of aquaculture

We feel that the cases do add flesh to our purposes bearing in mind that these are part of a longer term process involving issues which need continued attention.