Many land and water areas have a social value and an existing use 

 and changes would affect the social and cultural values of the 

 local population. Local inhabitants may find they must share their 

 clam flats with a commercial operation, or recreational fishermen 

 might lose a popular length of river. Although the economic 

 benefits of using the space for aquaculture may be clear, the 

 social benefits may not be as obvious. 



Cultural values placed on fish and their processing and harvesting 

 are reflected in consumer attitudes towards fish; in the U.S., less 

 than a dozen marine species command a high degree of popular 

 acceptance and demand. Operations involving other species may 

 encounter situations in which cultural values impair acceptance of 

 the product . 



Research has shown that aquaculture development is ultimately 

 dependent upon acceptance by local communities as being socially 

 and culturally appropriate. The development may be economically 

 and technically feasible, but may not flourish without the support 

 of local and regional populations. 



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