Integrated management of aquaculture systems: A literature overview for application to the context of the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica

Abstract

The concept of integrated management emerged in the 1980s and was adopted by the United Nations Program within Agenda 21, with a strong connection to the ecosystem-based approach. Both integrated coastal management and integrated agriculture management derive from this model and are adapted to different contexts and uses, including planning, decision-making, and efficient production. The blue economy model leverages integrated management in aquaculture and fishing. In Costa Rica's Gulf of Nicoya, this model is promoted for application to aquaculture. This article gives an overview of integrated aquaculture management practices around the world. For this, we applied a meta-analysis using a bibliometric methodology. The review reveals that most of the experiences are from East and South Asia and Europe, with China being the primary proponent. The practices found are related to production management practices and integrated coastal management. A large number of documents are associated with the ecosystem-based approach. The research is related not only to the principal commercial species but also to alternative species like octopus, sponges, and algae. The practices found in the documents reviewed can be classified as either ecosystem management, production maximization, technology, or integrated multisector or spatial planning. Turning an eye to Costa Rica, the conditions explored reveal a lack of information about aquaculture management in addition to a complex administrative and legal framework. Therefore, it is necessary to study aquaculture management to make an integrated aquaculture management proposal. Global practices establish a base platform for the theoretical underpinning of an eventual proposal for the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica.