This project investigates sustainable aquaculture in the Baltic Sea, more specifically mussel farming with the capacity to remove nutrients from the aquatic environment and produce mussel meal as an alternative protein source to replace fish and soybean meal as a component in diets for fish. Work package 2 investigates social acceptance of mussel farming facilities and public participation in the establishment of such facilities. Especially, new approaches and planned uses in coastal areas need to be discussed with the community at an early point to enhance a broad awareness and to mediate societal acceptance. While mussel farming as an eutrophication mitigation tool has potential benefits for society, it may potentially also have negative effects for local communities due to conflicting uses of the sea and shoreline, and production facilities will in any case reshape the seascape and landscape where it is established.

The project investigates the preconditions for and previous experiences with location of mussel farming through analysis of media framing in local media, questionnaire surveys distributed to permanent and seasonal residents (summerhouse owners) in the affected areas, and interviews with stakeholders and residents. There is a particular focus on experiences of place attachment among permanent and seasonal residents and on how such experiences may be disrupted or supported by mussel farming. Empirical research and public outreach will take place in the local areas adjacent to test case mussel farms in Hagensche Wiek (Greifswald Bay, Germany), As Vig (Horsens Fjord, Denmark) and Tjärnö (Sweden).