Abstract
For some individuals and cultures, it may be considered “common knowledge” that oysters and clams filter and clean water as well as provide habitat for other sea life. However, in recent clam and oyster consumption surveys in the U.S., it appears that many consumers are unaware of potential environmental benefits of clam and oyster aquaculture. As the world grapples with sourcing proteins in an environmentally responsible manner, is there a potential to raise awareness and perhaps shift consumption toward sustainably farmed molluscan proteins? Three different surveys of consumers in the Eastern United States collected perceptions of farm raised oysters and clams as well as their general perception of aquaculture. Questions regarding whether farm raised oyster or clams were “good for the environment” were asked of both consumers and non-consumers. Results showed that most responses were in the “maybe yes, maybe no” category, raising the question of whether these benefits have been adequately communicated. And, upon further investigation, the authors have found that communicating these benefits is much more complicated than first imagined. The implications of these studies are discussed as well as the overall challenge of promoting sustainable food systems to the public in an approachable and understandable manner.
Presenters
Steven RichardsDirector, SC Center for Cooperative and Enterprise Development, Cooperative Extension Service, Clemson University, South Carolina, United States Marzieh Motallebi
Associate Professor, Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, South Carolina, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Food Production and Sustainability
KEYWORDS
Aquaculture Production, Sustainability, Environmental Benefits, Marketing, Consumer Perception
