IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/p/zbw/ifwkie/318204.html

Consumer preferences for sustainably sourced seafood: Implications for fisheries dynamics and management

Author

Listed:
  • Dube, Isha
  • Quaas, Martin
  • Sagebiel, Julian
  • Voss, Rudi

Abstract

Many fish consumers reveal a preference for sustainably sourced seafood in their purchasing decisions. We propose a bioeconomic modeling approach and an empirical strategy, based on a discrete choice experiment, to quantify the resulting effects on fishery dynamics and to derive implications for efficient fishery management. We show that a “consumer stock effect” arises, which stabilizes a fishery under open access and which decreases catches under economically efficient management. We quantify these effects for the Western Baltic cod fishery.

Suggested Citation

  • Dube, Isha & Quaas, Martin & Sagebiel, Julian & Voss, Rudi, 2025. "Consumer preferences for sustainably sourced seafood: Implications for fisheries dynamics and management," Open Access Publications from Kiel Institute for the World Economy 318204, Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:ifwkie:318204
    DOI: 10.1111/ajae.12544
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/318204/1/Sustainably-sourced-seafood.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/ajae.12544?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    Other versions of this item:

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Richard Horan & Erwin Bulte, 2004. "Optimal and Open Access Harvesting of Multi-Use Species in a Second-Best World," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 28(3), pages 251-272, July.
    2. Max T. Stoeven & Florian K. Diekert & Martin F. Quaas, 2021. "Should Fishing Quotas Be Measured in Terms of Numbers?," Marine Resource Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 36(2), pages 133-153.
    3. Qiujie Zheng & H. Holly Wang & Jason F. Shogren, 2021. "Fishing or Aquaculture? Chinese Consumers’ Stated Preference for the Growing Environment of Salmon through a Choice Experiment and the Consequentiality Effect," Marine Resource Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 36(1), pages 23-42.
    4. Copes, Parzival, 1972. "Factor Rents, Sole Ownership and the Optimum Level of Fisheries Exploitation," The Manchester School of Economic & Social Studies, University of Manchester, vol. 40(2), pages 145-163, June.
    5. Kersulec, Coralie & Doyen, Luc & Cissé, Abdoul Ahad, 2024. "From fork to fish: The role of demand on the sustainability of multi-species fishery," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    6. Asche, Frank & Bronnmann, Julia, 2017. "Price premiums for ecolabelled seafood: MSC certification in Germany," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 61(4), October.
    7. R. Quentin Grafton & Ragnar Arnason & Trond Bjorndal & David Campbell & Harry F. Campbell & Colin W. Clark & Robin Connor & Diane P. Dupont & Rognvaldur Hannesson & Ray Hilborn & James E. Kirkley & To, 2005. "Incentive-based approaches to sustainable fisheries (now replaced by EEN0508)," Economics and Environment Network Working Papers 0501, Australian National University, Economics and Environment Network.
    8. Martin F. Quaas & Max T. Stoeven & Bernd Klauer & Thomas Petersen & Johannes Schiller, 2018. "Windows of Opportunity for Sustainable Fisheries Management: The Case of Eastern Baltic Cod," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 70(2), pages 323-341, June.
    9. Pieniak, Zuzanna & Vanhonacker, Filiep & Verbeke, Wim, 2013. "Consumer knowledge and use of information about fish and aquaculture," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 25-30.
    10. Rondeau, Daniel, 2001. "Along the Way Back from the Brink," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 156-182, September.
    11. Horan, R.D. & Bulte, E.H., 2004. "Optimal and open access harvesting and multi-use species in a second best world," Other publications TiSEM 95000e50-7225-4f4d-aeaf-a, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    12. Tahvonen, Olli & Quaas, Martin F. & Voss, Rüdiger, 2018. "Harvesting selectivity and stochastic recruitment in economic models of age-structured fisheries," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 659-676.
    13. R. Quentin Grafton & Ragnar Arnason & Trond Bjorndal & David Campbell & Harry F. Campbell & Colin W. Clark & Robin Connor & Diane P. Dupont & Rognvaldur Hannesson & Ray Hilborn & James E. Kirkley & To, 2005. "Incentive-based approaches to sustainable fisheries," Economics and Environment Network Working Papers 0508, Australian National University, Economics and Environment Network.
    14. Julia Bronnmann & Max Thilo Stoeven & Martin Quaas & Frank Asche, 2021. "Measuring Motivations for Choosing Ecolabeled Seafood: Environmental Concerns and Warm Glow," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 97(3), pages 641-654.
    15. Erwin Bulte & G. van Kooten, 1999. "Marginal Valuation of Charismatic Species: Implications for Conservation," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 14(1), pages 119-130, July.
    16. Anders Skonhoft & Melina Kourantidou, 2021. "Managing a Natural Asset That Is Both a Value and a Nuisance: Competition versus Cooperation for the Barents Sea Red King Crab," Marine Resource Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 36(3), pages 229-254.
    17. Clark, Colin W. & Munro, Gordon R., 1975. "The economics of fishing and modern capital theory: A simplified approach," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 2(2), pages 92-106, December.
    18. Brécard, Dorothée & Hlaimi, Boubaker & Lucas, Sterenn & Perraudeau, Yves & Salladarré, Frédéric, 2009. "Determinants of demand for green products: An application to eco-label demand for fish in Europe," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(1), pages 115-125, November.
    19. Martin Quaas & Anders Skonhoft, 2022. "Welfare Effects of Changing Technological Efficency in Regulated Open-Access Fisheries," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 82(4), pages 869-888, August.
    20. Bronnmann, Julia & Asche, Frank, 2017. "Sustainable Seafood From Aquaculture and Wild Fisheries: Insights From a Discrete Choice Experiment in Germany," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 113-119.
    21. Asche, Frank & Larsen, Thomas A. & Smith, Martin D. & Sogn-Grundvåg, Geir & Young, James A., 2015. "Pricing of eco-labels with retailer heterogeneity," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 82-93.
    22. Manning, Dale T. & Rad, Mani Rouhi & Suter, Jordan F. & Goemans, Christopher & Xiang, Zaichen & Bailey, Ryan, 2020. "Non-market valuation in integrated assessment modeling: The benefits of water right retirement," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Kira Lancker & Christopher B. Barrett & Kathryn J. Fiorella & Christopher M. Aura & Hezron Awandu & Fonda J. Awuor & Patrick Otuo, 2025. "Understanding Nutrient - Contaminant Tradeoffs in fish consumer demand: Evidence from Kenya," IFRO Working Paper 2025/01, University of Copenhagen, Department of Food and Resource Economics.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sogn-Grundvåg, Geir & Bronnmann, Julia & Pettersen, Ingrid Kristine & Asche, Frank & Johansen, Ove, 2025. "Can eco-labels tune a supply chain? The case of MSC-certified haddock from Norway," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 236(C).
    2. Fang, Yingkai & Asche, Frank & Gao, Zhifeng, 2020. "Can ecolabel certifications for restaurants influence consumer choices away from home?," 2020 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, Kansas City, Missouri 304268, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    3. Onozaka, Yuko & Honkanen, Pirjo & Altintzoglou, Themistoklis, 2023. "Sustainability, perceived quality and country of origin of farmed salmon: Impact on consumer choices in the USA, France and Japan," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    4. Enriquez, Aaron J. & Finnoff, David C., 2021. "Managing mortality of multi-use megafauna," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    5. Stoeven, Max T. & Quaas, Martin F., 2012. "Privatizing renewable resources: Who gains, who loses?," Economics Working Papers 2012-02, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Department of Economics.
    6. Fenichel, Eli P. & Horan, Richard D. & Bence, James R., 2010. "Indirect management of invasive species through bio-controls: A bioeconomic model of salmon and alewife in Lake Michigan," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 500-518, November.
    7. Fischer, Carolyn & Sterner, Thomas & Muchapondwa, Edwin, 2005. "Bioeconomic Model of Community Incentives for Wildlife Management Before and After CAMPFIRE," RFF Working Paper Series dp-05-06, Resources for the Future.
    8. Xie, Fang & Horan, Richard D., 2008. "Disease and Behavioral Dynamics for Brucellosis in Elk and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area," 2008 Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2008, Orlando, Florida 6404, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    9. Ropars-Collet, Carole, 2012. "Nuisible ou gibier? Une analyse économique de la chasse des grands animaux en France," Revue d'Etudes en Agriculture et Environnement, Editions NecPlus, vol. 92(02), pages 161-181, October.
    10. Finnoff, David & Potapov, Alexei & Lewis, Mark A., 2010. "Control and the management of a spreading invader," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 534-550, November.
    11. Zander, Katrin & Feucht, Yvonne, "undated". "Who is Prepared to Pay For Sustainable Fish? Evidence from a Transnational Consumer Survey in Europe," 2018 International European Forum (163rd EAAE Seminar), February 5-9, 2018, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria 276859, International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks.
    12. Fenichel, Eli P. & Abbott, Joshua K., 2014. "Heterogeneity and the fragility of the first best: Putting the “micro” in bioeconomic models of recreational resources," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 351-369.
    13. Asche, Frank & Bronnmann, Julia & Cojocaru, Andreea L., 2021. "The value of responsibly farmed fish: A hedonic price study of ASC-certified whitefish," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    14. Bertram, Christine, 2010. "Integrating biodiversity indices into a multi-species optimal control model," Kiel Working Papers 1662, Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
    15. Bernadette M. Clarke & Emma McKinley & Rhoda C. Ballinger, 2025. "UK Public Attitudes and Perceptions of Seafood Sustainability: A Case Study of the Marine Conservation Society’s Good Fish Guide," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-32, January.
    16. Xie, Fang & Horan, Richard D., 2009. "Disease and Behavioral Dynamics for Brucellosis Control in Elk and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 34(01), pages 1-23.
    17. Birgit Bednar-Friedl & Doris Behrens & Michael Getzner, 2012. "Optimal Dynamic Control of Visitors and Endangered Species in a National Park," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 52(1), pages 1-22, May.
    18. Fenichel, Eli P. & Horan, Richard D., 2016. "Tinbergen and tipping points: Could some thresholds be policy-induced?," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 132(PB), pages 137-152.
    19. Brian R. Copeland & M. Scott Taylor, 2017. "Environmental and resource economics: A Canadian retrospective," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 50(5), pages 1381-1413, December.
    20. Bronnmann, Julia & Asche, Frank & Pettersen, Ingrid Kristine & Sogn-Grundvåg, Geir, 2023. "Certify or not? The effect of the MSC certification on the ex-vessel prices for Atlantic cod in Norway," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • Q11 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Aggregate Supply and Demand Analysis; Prices
    • Q22 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Fishery

    NEP fields

    This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:zbw:ifwkie:318204. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/iwkiede.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.