Estimating the Irish public's willingness to pay for more sustainable salmon produced by integrated multi-trophic aquaculture

van Osch, S., Hynes, S., O’Higgins, T., Hanley, N. , Campbell, D. and Freeman, S. (2017) Estimating the Irish public's willingness to pay for more sustainable salmon produced by integrated multi-trophic aquaculture. Marine Policy, 84, pp. 220-227. (doi: 10.1016/j.marpol.2017.07.005)

Abstract

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) has been put forward as a potential sustainable alternative to single fin fish species aquaculture. In IMTA, several species are combined in the production process. Integrating species has a conceivable dual advantage; the environmental impact can be lowered through nutrient cycling and from an economic perspective there is potential for increased efficiency, product diversification and a higher willingness to pay for more environmentally friendly produced salmon. This paper presents the results from a choice experiment which examines whether the Irish public is willing to pay a premium for “sustainably produced” farmed salmon from an IMTA process. Uniquely, an ecolabel was used in the design, based on familiar energy rating labels, to communicate the environmental pressure of fish farming to respondents. The experiment demonstrates that the Irish public has a willingness to pay a price premium for sustainability in salmon farming and for locally produced salmon.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hanley, Professor Nicholas
• Authors: van Osch, S., Hynes, S., O’Higgins, T., Hanley, N., Campbell, D., and Freeman, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Marine Policy
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0308-597X
• ISSN (Online): 1872-9460
• Published Online: 03 August 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd.
• First Published: First published in Marine Policy 84:220-227
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.