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

José Ruiz-Chico,Antonio R Peña-Sánchez,Mercedes Jiménez-García,José M Biedma-Ferrer

doi:10.3390/ijerph17186628

José Ruiz-Chico, Antonio R Peña-Sánchez + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186628

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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.

Highlights

Spain is one of the most important fishing European countries, being very relevant in terms of production, employment, fleet, consumption of fish, and aquaculture [1,2]
The questionnaire, which was structured, had several parts where the respondents were asked about their consumption and buying behaviours, level of knowledge about this topic, opinions about aquaculture compared with traditional fishing, and the impact on the environment from different perspectives
I do not know if the fish I consume come from aquaculture

Summary

Introduction

Spain is one of the most important fishing European countries, being very relevant in terms of production, employment, fleet, consumption of fish, and aquaculture [1,2]. This technique is an important supply of quality products. Aquaculture can be defined as the farming of aquatic plants and animals, mainly fish, crustaceans, and molluscs, as an obvious evolution of traditional fishing activities [3] In recent times, this sector is a significant business producing food, pharmaceutical and industrial materials, and storage for restocking or ornamental goals, generating 12 million jobs worldwide [4].

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