When diseases hit aquaculture: an experimental study of spillover effects from negative publicity
Original version
Hansen, H.; Onozaka, Y. (2011) When diseases hit aquaculture: an experimental study of spillover effects from negative publicity. Marine Resource Economics, 26(4), pp. 281–291Abstract
Aquaculture, as all animal production, is exposed to diseases which can
cause negative publicity and market impacts. A recent example is the Chilean salmon
farming industry, which is currently facing unprecedented economic losses due to an
outbreak of infectious salmon anemia. We conducted two consumer experiments to
investigate spillover effects of negative publicity on consumer valuation of seafood
products from unaffected countries and species, as well as a potential mitigating
strategy that an affected industry might use. We find significant negative spillover effects
on the same species produced in unaffected countries and on other fish species
farmed within the affected country. We also find that building a brand association
with an upscale retailer does not improve the consumer valuation (i.e., no positive
spillover effects) for products from directly and indirectly affected countries of the affected
species.
Description
Copyright © 2011 MRE Foundation, Inc.