Date of Award
2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Marine Affairs
Department
Marine Affairs
First Advisor
Patrick Baur
Abstract
Commercial fish stocks are currently in decline with over eighty seven percent at fully exploited or overexploited levels. The overfishing of economically valuable target species is one major cause of these population declines, which is why there has been significant focus on urging consumers to try more underutilized or unheard-of species. However, the question remains: are consumers willing to try these species? Given potential barriers like food neophobia, which is a biological human avoidance of unknown foods, it is important to find out the current seafood preferences of consumers to influence marketing and legislation. The goals of this study were (i) to survey the current seafood knowledge and preferences of consumers in Rhode Island; (ii) to evaluate consumer willingness to try underutilized species and (iii) assess whether a food neophobia reaction could be occurring with underutilized species. Results of the 226 survey responses included that 55% of consumers ate seafood 1-2 times a week. Respondents indicated they most want seafood that is fresh, tasty, and safe to eat. Generally, most respondents had heard about the local Rhode Island seafood species included in the survey, with only one species being Sea Robin being unfamiliar to more than half of respondents. However, four species were consumed by less than 40% of respondents: Scup, Skate, Dogfish and Sea Robin. In summary, the information gathered from this survey can be used to help inform local legislation in Rhode Island that is encouraging consumers to eat local and diverse.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Rojas, Alejandro, "SURVEYING SEAFOOD PREFERENCES AND POTENTIAL NEOPHOBIA OF UNDERUTILIZED SPECIES IN RHODE ISLAND CONSUMERS" (2024). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 2510.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/2510