Escobar Gonzalez, Cristina

Gil Roig, José María

Kallas, Zein

English

UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC

      5554    May/June 2012    global aquaculture advocate global aquaculture advocate     May/June 2012Lessons can be learned from the coastal nations that surround the shallow southern part of the North Sea. The demand for space in these areas of the Netherlands, Denmark and the German part of the North Sea is great and has forced these nations to adapt marine spa-tial planning to a high degree. GovernanceA divergence in governance frame-works exists in Europe’s aquaculture regions. Whereas salmonid aquaculture in Northern European countries is rela-tively strictly regulated, shellfish farming in Portugal is strongly based on tradition. The lack of biological and legal control mechanisms could leave the shellfish industry vulnerable due to low biosecurity against invading organisms or diseases. Governance of the marine sector in Europe is dynamic and evolving, and im-provements might benefit both industries and environmental protection interests.Ecological ConditionsIn addition, the ecological conditions are diverse, as are local adaptations. In Fin-land, for example, ownership of marine areas is allowed, while they are considered public property in other countries. Further-more, Finnish aquaculture is subject to strict regulations on excess nutrients because of the overall nutrient situation in the Baltic Sea. This has led to creative syn-ergies with fisheries in which less-valuable fish are used to feed cultured fish, reducing the net loading of nutrients to the sea. In contrast, Norwegian aquaculture produces high quantities of nutrients that can have local effects. However, they are considered negligible in the large scale due to excess nutrients from the Scandi-navian Coastal Current that dominates the coastline. The protection of nature interests seems more comparable despite the extreme differences in natural and cultural geography that can be seen along the European coastline. Furthermore, tourist fisheries and fishing by local inhabitants are important interests, but the economic and ecological impacts of these activities are usually poorly monitored. Stakeholder InterestsInterviews with stakeholders are an important source of information for the COEXIST project. The interviews are systematically performed throughout the different study areas and are therefore comparable. Representatives of various interests have been interviewed on a range of ques-tions to determine major activities, con-flicts and possible synergies. The inter-views have also provided important information about jurisdiction and gover-nance in the study areas. Multicriteria analysis is used as a tool to structure and analyze the relevant issues for coastal management in differ-ent countries. Other important aspects of the analysis include present and future governance policies, interests of stake-holders and possible risks and future impacts on the different stakeholders. In addition to providing some transparency, multicriteria analysis provides an oppor-tunity to identify positive governance methods for the future based on compari-sons of preferences and future impacts in the different societies.Note: The research leading to these results received funding from the European Com-munity’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no. 245178. This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information con-tained herein.Figure 1. Diverse case studies will provide data for further analysis to identify benefits and bottlenecks for development. 1 = Hardangerfjord2 = Atlantic Sea Coast3 = Algarve Coast4 = Adriatic Sea Coast5 = Coastal North Sea6 = Baltic SeamarketplaceMussels are one of the main seafood products in the Catalonia region of Spain. Recent production accounted for 53% of the volume of aquaculture prod-ucts and over 20% of the value.Mainly located in the Ebro Delta, most mussel production in Catalonia uses the rope culture system. The main species pro-duced is the blue or Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis. Its marketing is differentiated through labeling that indi-cates “mussels from the Ebro Delta.” Consumer StudyThe authors recently explored con-sumer preferences toward mussels in Cat-alonia. The study was funded by Aqüi-CAT, the Cluster Plan to Promote Aquiculture in Catalonia, and led by IRTA Research and Technology in Food and Agriculture, and ACC1Ó, Competi-tiveness for Catalonia. The research considered the following attributes of mussels and the degrees to which consumers valued them.•   Mussel presentation. In Catalonia, mussels can typically be found fresh in bulk or in a string bag. However, other presentations are being intro-duced. For this work, frozen mus-sels without valves were included. •   Mussel origin. Origin information helped determine the necessity of promoting a regional label for prod-uct differentiation. For this attri-bute, three origins were chosen: Catalonia; Galicia, a main producer in Spain; and Holland, a foreign origin.•  Mussel production system. Identifi-cation of production systems helped identify whether farmed products were desirable to consumers. Its options included mussels from extractive fishing, mussels produced by means of aquaculture and mussels whose production method was not indicated on their labels.Study Methodology The authors’ choice experiments were based on the creation of a hypothetical market for the analyzed goods and ser-vices. A series of descriptors were com-Catalonia Consumers Prefer Wild MusselsStudy Finds Knowledge Of Mussel Farming LimitedDr. Cristina EscobarCREDA – UPC – IRTA Parc Mediterrani de la TecnologiaEdifici Esab. CEsteve Terrades 8, 08660Castelldefels, Spain cristina.escobar@upc.edu Dr. Z. KallasJ. M. Gil CREDA – UPC – IRTASummary:The authors analyzed consum-ers’ preferences for mussels in Catalonia using choice experi-ment methodology in a structured questionnaire. Results showed that for the 233 mussel consumers who participated, product presentation was the most valued attribute. Fresh mussels, whether loose in bulk or in a string bag, obtained the highest willingness to pay. Consumers also valued mussels produced in Catalonia by means of extractive fishing.Example of a choice set. Which is “better”?Attribute LevelImplicit Value (Lower,  Upper Levels) 90% significanceCataloniaGaliciaHollandFresh loose in bulkFresh in string bagFrozen without valvesExtractive fishingAquacultureNot indicated1.64 (1.33, 1.99)0.52 (0.24, 0.79)-2.16 (-2.56, -1.76)1.66 (1.31, 2.01)1.61 (1.31, 1.98)-3.27 (-3.89, -2.81)0.78 (0.49, 1.14)-0.37 (-0.63, -0.11)-0.41 (-0.71, -0.16)Table 1. Implicit values for the considered levels.      5756    May/June 2012    global aquaculture advocate global aquaculture advocate     May/June 2012bined to create different product alternatives grouped to construct “choice sets.” One of the choice attributes was usually defined in monetary terms to allow the associ-ation of monetary values with attri-butes and attribute levels.A questionnaire was designed, and 233 mussel consumers were interviewed. A stratified sampling method by age and postal districts using minimum quotas by stratum was used.  By considered only the attributes’ main effects, the number of choice sets was reduced to nine.Results Results showed that all attri-butes and levels were statistically significant determinants of con-sumer welfare. For the economic interpretation of the models obtained, implicit values were cal-culated. Table 1 shows the average values obtained for all the consid-ered levels. There was a strong preference for product presentation, followed by the origin and the method of production. For mussel presenta-tion, consumers preferred a fresh product, whether loose in bulk or in a string bag. On the contrary, frozen mussels scored a negative willingness to pay.The preferred origin was Cata-lonia, which additionally showed the highest positive willingness to pay. Mussels from Galicia were also positively valued, but mussels of Dutch origin were not.The preferred production method was extractive fishing, as it obtained positive and signifi-cant willingness to pay scores. When the production method was not indicated on the label, or when the mussels were produced by aquaculture, implicit prices showed negatively. All in all, fresh mussels from Catalonia – obtained by extractive fishing – were the preferred product.These results could be ex-plained by the lack of consumer awareness regarding mussel pro-duction. Press releases about red tides and other causes for tempo-rary closures of mussel harvesting could also have introduced negative connotations in the consumers’ minds toward mussel production.www.OmegaNutrient.com877.866.3423Nutritionists know plant- based sources of omega-3 and protein can never measure up to the most natural feed source—menhaden. Menhaden sh oil and shmeal provide the essential nutrients to improve feed conversion, optimize growth, and produce healthier sh. More nutritional benets. More results. Omega Protein has the products, resources and expertise to help you create a better feed.®More than ingredients. Ingenuity.

Catalonia consumers prefer wild mussels. Study finds knowledge of mussel farming limited

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Catalonia consumers prefer wild mussels. Study finds knowledge of mussel farming limited

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