Social Sustainability in the Oyster Industry
Social sustainability of oyster farming. ARC-Australian Research Council linkage grant. The study site is in the Eyre Peninsula SA in 5 communities and it employs the capital approach to examine social responsibility.
The project is being undertaken by Phd Student Janine Pierce with the linkage partner the Eyre Regional development Board. The Project was initiated by Prof Rhonda Sharp.
Researching new industries is critical for sustaining rural communities and providing a future for young people. The Eyre Regional Development Board and the University of South Australia’s collaborative research project that investigates the economic, social, institutional and environmental ‘capitals’ of Eyre Peninsula oyster aquaculture has the capacity to provide a map of the strengths and vulnerabilities of this emerging industry and to inform policy.
Research Instruments
The project has employed three data collection methods with members of 5 oyster growing communities on the Eyre Peninsula in SA. These are:
- semi structured interviews;
- structured interviews; and
- PhotoVoice.
- Media release
Participants in the Photo Voice
component of the Study in Cowell September 2006
-
Janine Pierce -- Background and research activities
Research interest:
- Freshwater aquaculture community issues
- Our Community Since Oyster Aquaculture : a Photovoice approach Case study of Cowell: Janine Pierce Stream: evaluation of actual practice, participation & outcomes (PDF 48425.00KB)
- Our Community Capitals as we see them through Photovoice:
Cowell Oyster Industry in South Australia
Janine Pierce and Prof Jennifer McKay
Abstract:
This paper discusses a Photovoice study of the oyster industry in Cowell
on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. For the last 15 years the
Cowell community has been adding water based farming in the
environmentally sensitive industry of oyster aquaculture to its’ land
based farming. The Capitals approach for assessing community
sustainability was assessed through the medium of Photovoice. Whilst
this study provides data on natural, produced and institutional
capitals, the method enabled subtle reflections to be made on social and
human capitals. Hence it provides some data on these hard to capture
aspects of the Capitals approach.
The method engaged the Cowell community to tell its’ insider looking out story of the impact of oyster aquaculture on their community. The Capitals approach was shown to successfully link to Photovoice methodology, and would have wider applicability in assessing impact of other environmentally sensitive industries and developments in other communities. Findings from the study indicated that oyster aquaculture is viewed by Cowell community members as adding positive social and human capital and that any negative aspects of the industry on the other capitals are seen as minor.
Janine is jointly supervised by Professor Jennifer McKay, and Professor Rhonda Sharp of the Research Centre for Gender Studies
Contact:
Email: janine.pierce@unisa.edu.au