Wild Fish vs. Farmed Fish: Consumer Perception in Turkey

Abstract

Since it is not possible to meet the demand for fish meat through fisheries, it is triedto be met with the aquaculture. As a result, farmed fish production has been increasedin recent years. Therefore, it is important to know how consumer trends are changedagainst farmed or wild fish. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting fishconsumption preferences of consumers living in Turkey. 472 people in coastal andinland areas were asked questions and factors influencing the formation of consumerpreferences were examined. Logistic regression was performed to find the mostproper model. According to the study, the majority of consumers have little knowledgeof the origin of the fish due to insufficient regulatory regulations in labeling. However,some consumers believed that the farmed fish may be more nutritionally valuable,while others thought that the farmed fish have poorer taste and texture compared towild fish and they were also concerned about contamination from polluted waters orcontaminated feed. One of the most troubling topics for consumers is the drug orantibiotic usage and their residues in the aquaculture sector. The consumers werewilling to pay extra money for farmed fish if they know them antibiotic-free.