Consumer Perception of Cultured Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) and Its Market Competitors

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Aquaculturists are concerned with performance of cultured yellow perch against its wild‐caught market competitors. In this study, consumer perception of cultured yellow perch was compared to that of wild‐caught walleye, ocean perch, and zander. In 2 experiments, species were ranked for preference, rated for liking, and rated for degree of difference from a reference (cultured perch). Results were analyzed using Friedman's analysis of ranks, analysis of variance, and method of maximum likelihood. In Experiment 1 (n= 50), there was no significant difference in preference or liking, and all wild‐caught species were significantly different from the reference. In Experiment 2 (n= 68), the species were trimmed to the same thickness for a more fair comparison of these species. Cultured yellow perch was equally preferred to all species but was rated significantly higher than walleye in overall liking. In addition, ocean perch and walleye were found to be significantly different from cultured perch, while zander was not.