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Consumers’ Awareness of Fish Traceability and Sustainability: An Exploratory Study in Italy and Spain

Author

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  • Giovanni Fiorile

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Napoli, Italy)

  • Sharon Puleo

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Napoli, Italy)

  • Francesca Colonna

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Napoli, Italy)

  • Simona Mincione

    (Enco Consulting—Enco Srl Via Michelangelo Schipa, 115, 80122 Napoli, Italy)

  • Paolo Masi

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Napoli, Italy
    Centre for Food Innovation and Development in the Food Industry, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Napoli, Italy)

  • Nuria Herranz Solana

    (Packaging, Transport & Logistics Research Center (ITENE), Albert Einstein 1, 46980 Paterna, Spain)

  • Rossella Di Monaco

    (Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Napoli, Italy
    Centre for Food Innovation and Development in the Food Industry, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Napoli, Italy)

Abstract

Fish products are widely consumed in different European countries for their nutritional composition, such as their high protein content, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and low carbohydrate content. Therefore, fishing provides important income and commercial opportunities in different Mediterranean coastal countries. As the increased consumption of fish products is leading to negative ecological impacts on marine flora and fauna, sustainability labels are increasingly emerging. Furthermore, to increase transparency in the fisheries sector and increase consumer confidence when purchasing, fish traceability is becoming increasingly important. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the importance of fish traceability and the knowledge of some fish sustainability labels in two European coastal countries, Italy and Spain. The investigation was carried out through an online questionnaire filled out by 1913 consumers in Italy and Spain. The main results show that receiving traceability information was mainly important for the Italian population, while, although fish sustainability is increasingly important, respondents did not demonstrate that they frequently buy fish products with sustainability labels. The study also highlighted how the main characteristics of the respondents may influence their habits and perceptions regarding the issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni Fiorile & Sharon Puleo & Francesca Colonna & Simona Mincione & Paolo Masi & Nuria Herranz Solana & Rossella Di Monaco, 2023. "Consumers’ Awareness of Fish Traceability and Sustainability: An Exploratory Study in Italy and Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:19:p:14103-:d:1246141
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Shan Jin & Yasuhiro Matsuoka & Meng Yue & Glyn Jones & Lynn J. Frewer, 2024. "Does information about environmental considerations affect Chinese and UK consumers’ purchase intentions for traced foods? A path analysis," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(12), pages 32287-32318, December.
    2. Francesco De Pascale & Eleonora Guadagno, 2025. "Climate Change and High-Quality Agri-Food Production: Perceptions of Risk and Adaptation Strategies in the Calabria Region (Southern Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-23, April.

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