Social Acceptance of Aquaculture in Spain: An Instrument to Achieve Sustainability for Society

José Ruiz-Chico, José M. Biedma-Ferrer, Antonio R. Peña-Sánchez and Mercedes Jiménez-García
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José Ruiz-Chico: INDESS (University Institute for Sustainable Social Development), University of Cadiz, 11406 Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
José M. Biedma-Ferrer: INDESS (University Institute for Sustainable Social Development), University of Cadiz, 11406 Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
Antonio R. Peña-Sánchez: INDESS (University Institute for Sustainable Social Development), University of Cadiz, 11406 Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
Mercedes Jiménez-García: INDESS (University Institute for Sustainable Social Development), University of Cadiz, 11406 Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Mercedes Jiménez García

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-12

Abstract: Aquaculture is a technique to produce food that is under debate, due to its possible consequences for altering the economy, traditional fishing included, or the environment, even with doubts about the health of consumers. This document studies its social acceptance from the point of view of carrying capacity. This term is defined as the level at which this activity begins to be disproportionate and poses important disadvantages for society. In this context, we conducted 803 surveys in six coastal provinces in Spain. The results show that the acceptance of these products is good, implying that aquaculture is far from reaching its saturation point in society. Additionally, the respondents gave a higher priority to socio-economic objectives than to environmental ones. We can conclude that the further development of this sector is advisable in these provinces. The general perception of aquaculture is better among men, and also among higher-income consumers. Informative activities should be organized to target these more hesitant groups. Production structures should be revised to overcome biases in the population about the idea that the food obtained from aquaculture harms the environment or is less natural or healthy. The possible abuse of feed and chemicals spreads this idea, and this could affect the taste and quality adversely.

Keywords: economy; society; environment; health; fish; quality; employment; pollution; consumer; public administrations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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