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Estimating the Public’s Preferences for Sustainable Aquaculture: A Country Comparison

Author

Listed:
  • Suzanne van Osch

    (Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit (SEMRU), Whitaker Institute, National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Galway H91 WN80, Ireland)

  • Stephen Hynes

    (Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit (SEMRU), Whitaker Institute, National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Galway H91 WN80, Ireland)

  • Shirra Freeman

    (Recanati Institute of Marine Studies, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel)

  • Tim O’Higgins

    (Marine and Renewable Energy Ireland (MaREI), Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork P43 C573, Ireland)

Abstract

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) is an alternative to the monoculture of fin fish species, in which several species are combined in the production process. This can have environmental advantages such as a lower environmental impact through nutrient cycling and natural filters; and can have economic advantages consisting of increased efficiency, product diversification and potential price premiums. In this paper, a choice experiment (CE) was conducted through an online survey in Ireland, the UK, Italy, Israel and Norway, to assess how the public makes decisions on what type of salmon or sea bream to buy based on the attributes of the product. Analysis assessed the Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) for more sustainable produced seafood using a Latent Class multinomial logit modelling approach. In the experiment, an ecolabel was used to distinguish between regularly produced (monoculture) products and sustainably produced (IMTA) products. The general public in each country showed a positive attitude towards the development of such an ecolabel and towards the payment of a price premium for the more sustainably produced salmon or sea bream.

Suggested Citation

  • Suzanne van Osch & Stephen Hynes & Shirra Freeman & Tim O’Higgins, 2019. "Estimating the Public’s Preferences for Sustainable Aquaculture: A Country Comparison," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:569-:d:199890
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    2. Maria B. Forleo & Nadia Palmieri, 2023. "Environmental Attributes of Wild versus Farmed Tuna: Beliefs, Knowledge and Purchasing Choices of Italian Consumers of Canned Tuna," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-21, April.

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