Andrew M. Scheld, W. Reid Calhoun, Caela B. Gilsinan, Shelby B. White
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
This research investigated market development for invasive blue catfish from the Chesapeake Bay, US. A small number of interviews with seafood processors and a large online survey of seafood consumers in the US Mid-Atlantic and Southeast (n = 1010) were used to understand factors influencing demand. The survey included a choice experiment to elicit consumer preferences for blue catfish in comparison to substitute seafood products and tested the effects of providing various types of information. Processors noted broad industry concerns related to labor availability and input costs and felt that expansion of the blue catfish market depended upon increasing consumer awareness and product familiarity. Consumer surveys revealed only one-third of respondents had consumed wild-caught blue catfish, though another third indicated they would be willing to try it. In the choice experiment, providing information on production method and product origin were found to increase consumer demand across seafood products. For blue catfish, providing additional information increasing consumer product familiarity or detailing the harmful ecological effects also increased demand. Mean consumer willingness-to-pay for blue catfish was estimated to be $9.70/lb, but increased to $22/lb in an information-rich scenario. These findings suggest a large potential market for invasive blue catfish in the US Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, with demand dependent on consumer product familiarity.
期刊介绍:
This journal provides an international forum for the publication of papers in the areas of fisheries science, fishing technology, fisheries management and relevant socio-economics. The scope covers fisheries in salt, brackish and freshwater systems, and all aspects of associated ecology, environmental aspects of fisheries, and economics. Both theoretical and practical papers are acceptable, including laboratory and field experimental studies relevant to fisheries. Papers on the conservation of exploitable living resources are welcome. Review and Viewpoint articles are also published. As the specified areas inevitably impinge on and interrelate with each other, the approach of the journal is multidisciplinary, and authors are encouraged to emphasise the relevance of their own work to that of other disciplines. The journal is intended for fisheries scientists, biological oceanographers, gear technologists, economists, managers, administrators, policy makers and legislators.