RESEARCH - Research Summary

Research Summary

The relatively rapid development of aquaculture as an important industry has posed many new challenges. This research proposes to face these challenges through the application of management science problem solving methodologies, including the development of geographical information system models of the coastal zone, and multicriteria decision making tools for developing policy and supporting complex decisions arising from the coastal zone environmental and human systems including aquaculture.

This research will develop tools to support decision making in the evaluation of coastal zone sites. These sites are evaluated for their potential use in aquaculture as well as other activities such as commercial fisheries, and marine reserves for tourism. The decision support approach captures site specific data in the form of a marine map. Using computerized geographical information systems, these maps overlay selected regions on the map to describe key environmental interactions in the region. The data include a description of the existing marine resources and habitat, and the human interventions including the commercial activities of aquaculture and fishing. These descriptive mapping data for selected regions are evaluated relative to a standardized “ideal” region and compared relatively to other selected regions. This comparative information provides input to a multicriteria decision making problem formulation that confronts the decision makers (scientists, communities, environmental groups, industry). The decision makers present their views of the system with respect to their stated relative importance of the natural resources, as well as the human interventions. The decision model compares alternative evaluations of selected regions among the preferences expressed by the diverse stakeholders. The results of the model provide a structured, participatory approach to assist in coastal zonal governance decision making. The decisions to be considered are the awarding or denial of fish farm aquaculture site applications. Current analysis is being developed and applied to the coastal zone of Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick, situated in the Bay of Fundy.

Network Investigators

Daniel Lane, School of Management, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
Wojtek Michalowski, School of Management, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
Robert Stephenson, Saint Andrews Biological Station, DFO, Saint Andrews, NB
Fred Page, Saint Andrews Biological Station, DFO, Saint Andrews, NB