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Eco-Certification in Aquaculture–Economic Incentives and Effects

Hammarlund, Cecilia LU ; Svensson, Kevin LU ; Asche, Frank ; Bronnmann, Julia ; Osmundsen, Tonje and Nielsen, Rasmus (2024) In Reviews in Fisheries Science and Aquaculture
Abstract

In recent years, eco-certification has become an important market feature for aquaculture products, with several labels available for producers who want to signal sustainable or responsible production practices. In this study, the literature on the economic effects of eco-certification of aquaculture is reviewed to summarize the current state of knowledge and identify research gaps. The literature to date primarily focuses on Europe, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification scheme, and salmon products, but there are also insights into other markets and species. Consumer surveys indicate a preference for eco-labeled aquaculture products in most cases but with significant variation in the strength of the preference across... (More)

In recent years, eco-certification has become an important market feature for aquaculture products, with several labels available for producers who want to signal sustainable or responsible production practices. In this study, the literature on the economic effects of eco-certification of aquaculture is reviewed to summarize the current state of knowledge and identify research gaps. The literature to date primarily focuses on Europe, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification scheme, and salmon products, but there are also insights into other markets and species. Consumer surveys indicate a preference for eco-labeled aquaculture products in most cases but with significant variation in the strength of the preference across markets and species. In addition, eco-labels for farmed products may decrease the preference gap often found between wild and farmed aquaculture for some species. Other factors like geographical origin influence perceived premiums more than eco-labeling. For producers, evidence of price premiums is inconclusive, suggesting non-monetary benefits like improved market access and production practices as motivators. Certification can be costly, particularly for smaller businesses and in developing countries.

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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
Aquaculture, certification, economic effects, literature review, price premiums, Q21, Q22, Q51
in
Reviews in Fisheries Science and Aquaculture
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:85212077631
ISSN
2330-8249
DOI
10.1080/23308249.2024.2440712
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
36fc891e-ec01-4669-a4f8-f8eb9a41745c
date added to LUP
2025-01-31 14:12:53
date last changed
2025-04-04 13:56:44
@article{36fc891e-ec01-4669-a4f8-f8eb9a41745c,
  abstract     = {{<p>In recent years, eco-certification has become an important market feature for aquaculture products, with several labels available for producers who want to signal sustainable or responsible production practices. In this study, the literature on the economic effects of eco-certification of aquaculture is reviewed to summarize the current state of knowledge and identify research gaps. The literature to date primarily focuses on Europe, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification scheme, and salmon products, but there are also insights into other markets and species. Consumer surveys indicate a preference for eco-labeled aquaculture products in most cases but with significant variation in the strength of the preference across markets and species. In addition, eco-labels for farmed products may decrease the preference gap often found between wild and farmed aquaculture for some species. Other factors like geographical origin influence perceived premiums more than eco-labeling. For producers, evidence of price premiums is inconclusive, suggesting non-monetary benefits like improved market access and production practices as motivators. Certification can be costly, particularly for smaller businesses and in developing countries.</p>}},
  author       = {{Hammarlund, Cecilia and Svensson, Kevin and Asche, Frank and Bronnmann, Julia and Osmundsen, Tonje and Nielsen, Rasmus}},
  issn         = {{2330-8249}},
  keywords     = {{Aquaculture; certification; economic effects; literature review; price premiums; Q21; Q22; Q51}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Reviews in Fisheries Science and Aquaculture}},
  title        = {{Eco-Certification in Aquaculture–Economic Incentives and Effects}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23308249.2024.2440712}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/23308249.2024.2440712}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}