| Abstract:
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This GESAMP study focuses on environmental risk assessment and communication in coastal aquaculture. To support effectively an open and transparent approach to sustainable resource use, risk assessment and communication must be able to fit within a broader social, economic and environmental decision-making framework. The communication aspects become paramount in enabling sustainable development in that type of decision-making environment. This publication presents a set of objectives, goals, methodologies and a checklist for assessment and communication of environmental risks which may be associated with coastal aquaculture. It is structured to improve risk communication and to ensure that risk assessment is a scientific exercise in predicting environmental change. Chapter 5 is dedicated to Risk Communication. It describes how to develop an effective communication strategy by involving various participants in different stages of the communication process. The operational dimension of communication with participants and the media is also explored, as a key to effective and credible risk analysis. A variety of tools are provided, which can be used to engage stakeholders or other experts in clarifying known relationships, agreeing on which are the most important, identifying areas of particular ignorance or uncertainty, formulating problems and presenting results. Some of these can feed directly into the risk analysis process.
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