A Cultural Analysis: Knowledge, Values, and Chesapeake Oysters By Dr. Michael Paolisso Nicole Dery Department of Anthropology University of Maryland, College Park Presented to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources July 28, 2005

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to Evaluate Oyster Restoration Alternatives The State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia are considering the introduction of the oyster species Crassostrea ariakensis into the tidal waters of Maryland and Virginia. The State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia are considering the introduction of the oyster species Crassostrea ariakensis into the tidal waters of Maryland and Virginia. The objective of the introduction, coupled with continued restoration efforts of the Bays native oyster (Crassostrea virginica), is to restore the Chesapeake Bay oyster population to a level that will provide self-sustaining harvests comparable to harvests in the time period. The objective of the introduction, coupled with continued restoration efforts of the Bays native oyster (Crassostrea virginica), is to restore the Chesapeake Bay oyster population to a level that will provide self-sustaining harvests comparable to harvests in the time period. Historical figures indicate that the annual harvest of Chesapeake Bay oysters for the period averaged 4.9 million bushels. Historical figures indicate that the annual harvest of Chesapeake Bay oysters for the period averaged 4.9 million bushels.

Proposed Action & Alternatives Introduce C. ariakensis and discontinue native oyster restoration efforts Introduce C. ariakensis and discontinue native oyster restoration efforts Continue current oyster restoration and repletion plans Continue current oyster restoration and repletion plans Expand and accelerate native oyster restoration plans Expand and accelerate native oyster restoration plans Implement a temporary harvest moratorium and oyster industry compensation program Implement a temporary harvest moratorium and oyster industry compensation program Establish and/or expand State-assisted, managed and regulated aquaculture operations using the native oyster Establish and/or expand State-assisted, managed and regulated aquaculture operations using the native oyster Establish State-assisted, managed, or regulated aquaculture operations using a suitable triploid, non-native oyster species Establish State-assisted, managed, or regulated aquaculture operations using a suitable triploid, non-native oyster species Introduce and propagate an alternative oyster species other than C. ariakensis or an alternative strain of C. ariakensis Introduce and propagate an alternative oyster species other than C. ariakensis or an alternative strain of C. ariakensis Consider a combination of alternatives Consider a combination of alternatives

Cultural Analysis for EIS Groups vary in their interpretation and valuation of the risks and benefits associated with the proposed EIS actions and alternatives. Groups vary in their interpretation and valuation of the risks and benefits associated with the proposed EIS actions and alternatives. People use existing and implicit cultural models to assist them in understanding the issues that arise in response to the proposed action and alternatives. People use existing and implicit cultural models to assist them in understanding the issues that arise in response to the proposed action and alternatives. These cultural interpretations and valuations will play an important role in determining behavior: public support of oyster restoration plans, consumption of oysters, participation in oyster restoration programs, involvement in oyster commercial fishery. These cultural interpretations and valuations will play an important role in determining behavior: public support of oyster restoration plans, consumption of oysters, participation in oyster restoration programs, involvement in oyster commercial fishery.

Culture, Cognition, and Cultural Models Culture: whatever it is one has to know or believe to operate in a manner acceptable to its members. Culture: whatever it is one has to know or believe to operate in a manner acceptable to its members. Cognitive anthropology: focus is on the way knowledge is used in ordinary life and how that knowledge is organized in thought. Cognitive anthropology: focus is on the way knowledge is used in ordinary life and how that knowledge is organized in thought. Culture is partially in the mind Culture is partially in the mind Cultural models are presupposed, taken for granted, models of the world that are widely shared by the members of a society that play an enormous role in their understanding of that world and their behavior in it (Holland & Quinn 1987). Cultural models are presupposed, taken for granted, models of the world that are widely shared by the members of a society that play an enormous role in their understanding of that world and their behavior in it (Holland & Quinn 1987).

Methods Literature Review Literature Review Including published and unpublished information regarding socio- economic impacts of non-native introductions and a review of biological, ecological, political, and economic issues surrounding oyster restoration Including published and unpublished information regarding socio- economic impacts of non-native introductions and a review of biological, ecological, political, and economic issues surrounding oyster restoration Open-ended Key Informant Interviews Open-ended Key Informant Interviews 23 interviews were conducted with skilled professionals from stakeholder groups 23 interviews were conducted with skilled professionals from stakeholder groups Informal Conversations Informal Conversations Conducted in settings such as restaurants and docks in both Maryland and Virginia Conducted in settings such as restaurants and docks in both Maryland and Virginia Survey Questionnaires Survey Questionnaires 420 agreement surveys 420 agreement surveys Various Forms of Data Analysis Various Forms of Data Analysis Qualitative Data Analysis, Frequency Analysis, Consensus Analysis Qualitative Data Analysis, Frequency Analysis, Consensus Analysis

Survey Sample

Survey Questions (22 Questions Total)

Summary Findings from Agreement Survey General agreement that restoration as practiced has not worked, although high levels of dont knows for public and recreational fishers. General agreement that restoration as practiced has not worked, although high levels of dont knows for public and recreational fishers. General agreement that with time and new approaches native oyster restoration could work. General agreement that with time and new approaches native oyster restoration could work. All five stakeholder groups reported that oyster restoration should have both ecological and industry goals, with some uncertainty as to which should be primary. All five stakeholder groups reported that oyster restoration should have both ecological and industry goals, with some uncertainty as to which should be primary. Ecological restoration is understood at various scale levels across stakeholder groups. Ecological restoration is understood at various scale levels across stakeholder groups.

Summary Findings from Agreement Survey (continued) Management options of harvest moratorium with compensation and reserves elicit mixed support across all stakeholder groups (except watermen for compensated moratorium). Management options of harvest moratorium with compensation and reserves elicit mixed support across all stakeholder groups (except watermen for compensated moratorium). Agreement that restoration with native oysters should continue, with some dont knows for public and recreational fishers. Agreement that restoration with native oysters should continue, with some dont knows for public and recreational fishers. Agreement that the native oysters place in the natural and cultural history of the Bay is a key consideration for restoration. Agreement that the native oysters place in the natural and cultural history of the Bay is a key consideration for restoration. Strong agreement that we currently dont know enough about non-native oyster to use it for restoration, with the exception of watermen who expressed mixed agreement and disagreement. Strong agreement that we currently dont know enough about non-native oyster to use it for restoration, with the exception of watermen who expressed mixed agreement and disagreement.

Summary Findings from Agreement Survey (continued) Agreement that scientific findings will reduce concerns about possible negative consequences of using a non-native oyster for restoration. Agreement that scientific findings will reduce concerns about possible negative consequences of using a non-native oyster for restoration. Agreement that we should continue aquaculture of native oyster for growers and watermen and to increase understanding. Agreement that we should continue aquaculture of native oyster for growers and watermen and to increase understanding. Agreement that we should continue aquaculture of non-native oyster for growers and watermen and to increase understanding. Agreement that we should continue aquaculture of non-native oyster for growers and watermen and to increase understanding. Aggregated harvest data do not capture the economic and cultural identity significance of oysters at watermen household and community levels. Aggregated harvest data do not capture the economic and cultural identity significance of oysters at watermen household and community levels. Watermen will expend more effort if more oysters are available, but they express concern about market. Watermen will expend more effort if more oysters are available, but they express concern about market.

Cultural Consensus Analysis Formally states: shared patterns of agreement reflects shared knowledge Formally states: shared patterns of agreement reflects shared knowledge Allows for estimation of individual knowledge levels (cultural competence) Allows for estimation of individual knowledge levels (cultural competence) Uses factor analysis Uses factor analysis If consensus, strong loading on first factor (3:1 ratio with second factor) If consensus, strong loading on first factor (3:1 ratio with second factor)

All Stakeholder Groups (Experts (Dont Knows Removed)) EIGENVALUES FACTOR VALUE PERCENT CUM % RATIO FACTOR VALUE PERCENT CUM % RATIO : : : : : : ======= ======== ======= ======= ======= ======= ======== ======= ======= ======= Analysis: No Cultural Consensus: It would be better if the first factor accounted for more than 3 times the variance of the second. Note: Variables correlated with underlying factors is their factor loading. Factor loadings squared = individual variance; sum of squared factor loadings = eigenvalue. Note: Variables correlated with underlying factors is their factor loading. Factor loadings squared = individual variance; sum of squared factor loadings = eigenvalue.

Scientists EIGENVALUES FACTOR VALUE PERCENT CUM % RATIO FACTOR VALUE PERCENT CUM % RATIO : : : : : : ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Analysis: Cultural Consensus; First Factor More Than Three Times Second Factor

Scientists Cultural Competence Estimated Knowledge of each Respondent 1 KNOWLE KNOWLE Std. Dev.: Std. Dev.: Average: Average:

WatermenEIGENVALUES FACTOR VALUE PERCENT CUM % RATIO FACTOR VALUE PERCENT CUM % RATIO : : : : ======= ======= ======= ====== Environmentalists EIGENVALUES FACTOR VALUE PERCENT CUM % RATIO : : ======= ======= ======= ====== Recreational Fishers EIGENVALUES FACTOR VALUE PERCENT CUM % RATIO : : ======= ======= ======= ===== Seafood Eating Public EIGENVALUES FACTOR VALUE PERCENT CUM % RATIO : : ======= ======= ======= ====== Analysis: No Cultural Consensus

Watermen Grouped By License State VirginiaEIGENVALUES FACTOR VALUE PERCENT CUM % RATIO : : : : : : ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Analysis: Consensus; First Factor More Than Three Times Second Factor Maryland EIGENVALUES FACTOR VALUE PERCENT CUM % RATIO : : : ======= ======= ======= ======= Analysis: No Consensus

Conclusions Little cultural consensus, except among scientists and a subset of watermen Little cultural consensus, except among scientists and a subset of watermen High levels of uncertainty (up to 50% Dont Know) High levels of uncertainty (up to 50% Dont Know) Ceteris paribus, prefer the native oyster for ecological, economic and cultural reasons Ceteris paribus, prefer the native oyster for ecological, economic and cultural reasons Restoration has different meanings to different stakeholder groups Restoration has different meanings to different stakeholder groups Oyster is changing roles: from food/industry to ecological services Oyster is changing roles: from food/industry to ecological services Sustained importance at the community level for watermen Sustained importance at the community level for watermen The oyster is culturally loaded; not just a biological organism in an ecosystem whose harvest supports watermen communities The oyster is culturally loaded; not just a biological organism in an ecosystem whose harvest supports watermen communities

Policy Significance We have agreement across stakeholders on key topics, but also the presence of uncertainty in knowledge and viewpoints. Situation: Pre-paradigmatic and unstable. We have agreement across stakeholders on key topics, but also the presence of uncertainty in knowledge and viewpoints. Situation: Pre-paradigmatic and unstable. Little shared cultural knowledge in the form of cultural models. Cannot assume that rationale or reasoning for viewpoints are similar across or within groups. Result: risk of unexpected stakeholder response to policy because of lack of cultural consensus (exception scientists, VA watermen). Little shared cultural knowledge in the form of cultural models. Cannot assume that rationale or reasoning for viewpoints are similar across or within groups. Result: risk of unexpected stakeholder response to policy because of lack of cultural consensus (exception scientists, VA watermen). Oyster restoration is a vector for wide-ranging education and collaboration focused on Bay ecology, economy, and culture. Policies need to accommodate agreements and disagreement, uncertainty, and other Bay restoration and management issues. Oyster restoration is a vector for wide-ranging education and collaboration focused on Bay ecology, economy, and culture. Policies need to accommodate agreements and disagreement, uncertainty, and other Bay restoration and management issues. Continued integration of perspectives from ecology, economics and anthropology in the assessment of risks and benefits of native and non-native oyster restoration. Oysters could be a model of interdisciplinary research and policy development. Continued integration of perspectives from ecology, economics and anthropology in the assessment of risks and benefits of native and non-native oyster restoration. Oysters could be a model of interdisciplinary research and policy development.