Consumer perceptions of hemp-fed aquaculture

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Global demand for seafood has increased significantly in recent decades and is projected to continue rising. Aquaculture production has increased in the United States and globally to meet this demand, offering a relatively sustainable supplement to wild fish supplies. However, increased production further strains natural populations of pelagic species used to make fishmeal and fish oil into feedstocks, raising production costs and introducing safety concerns associated with fish consumption. A potential alternative feed ingredient is hemp, which can provide a cost-effective and nutritious feed for carnivorous fish. Moreover, hemp could meet the requirements for the final product to carry a “High Omega” claim. This study uses a discrete choice experiment to elicit consumer preferences for hemp-fed fish using different parts of the hemp plant as treatment groups. Respondents were prompted to select from salmon products varying in feed type, omega-3 concentration, and price. Results from this survey indicated a positive preference for both the hemp-fed and high omega attributes and an even stronger positive preference for products that carried both attributes.