Trust dynamics among producers and regulators: The case of aquaculture

Remaking the global food production and distribution system into something more ecologically and economically sustainable is among the great challenges of our time. This challenge will need to be addressed on multiple levels—from small-time producers to large multinational corporations and from local governments to international treaties—across multiple components of food production. Trust among producers, regulators, and resource managers is one of the many things that will be required to successfully transform the food system. In this qualitative study, we explore trust dynamics among aquaculture producers in the midwestern US. Based on a series of 34 interviews, we use the trust ecology framework to illustrate both how the different dimensions of trust are present among aquaculture producers and how the dimensions of trust might be threatened. Our findings emphasize the importance of building stronger interpersonal relationships between regulatory agencies and aquaculture producers. Additionally, our research shows that producers feel a need for more vocal advocacy for the industry within the regulatory system. These findings present an important case study illustrating how trust influences the relationship between producers and regulators and how building trust might allow the industry to work together to grow production and, potentially, sustainability.