Human modifications of coastal zones worldwide have increasingly become a focus of both ecological and social concern. However, little is known about the complex interactions between environmental, socio-economic and policy factors that drive changes in coastal land-use patterns. CESP researchers are examining these interrelated factors within the frameworks of salmon aquaculture and traditional salmon fisheries in the Pacific Northwest.

CESP senior fellow Rosamond Naylor is collaborating with Josh Eagle of the Stanford Law School to study the regional ecosystem of Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska, where still viable wild fish stocks, fishing communities and environmental quality are at risk. Alaska has enforced a ban on finfish farming since 1989, whereas Washington and BC have promoted the salmon farming industry. In its first year, the project mapped the terrain of existing research, data, key stakeholders, and areas of debate between salmon fishing and farming. Naylor and Eagle traveled throughout the region and established working relationships with university scholars, government agencies, environmental organizations, and industry representatives. In addition to interviews, they collected and analyzed a wealth of secondary data and information on salmon prices, industry structure, disease and parasite outbreaks, Atlantic salmon escapes from farms, water pollution due to waste and chemical discharge, social impacts and costs, and policies relating to the fishing and farming sectors. They have presented their preliminary assessment at a number of conferences and seminars and are currently collaborating on a publication that addresses the influence of law and policy on production of salmon by fishing versus farming.