Effect of information on attitudes towards offshore marine finfish aquaculture development in northern New England |
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Authors: | Robert A Robertson Erika L Carlsen Alan Bright |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Resource Economics and Development , University of New Hampshire , 317 James Hall, 56 College Road, Durham, NH, 03824, USA Phone: (603) 862–2711 Fax: (603) 862–2711 E-mail: robertr@cisunix.unh.edu;2. Resource Administration and Management , University of New Hampshire , Durham, NH, USA;3. Colorado State University , USA |
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Abstract: | Abstract Social science can make important contributions to understanding the prospects for offshore marine aquaculture development because many of the potential barriers that may restrict its development are social and institutional rather than biological or technical. This study collects baseline data on attitudes towards offshore marine aquaculture held by a key stakeholder group. It also investigates the influence of information on attitudes towards marine aquaculture. Data reported in this study were collected from visitors to a seafood festival in coastal New Hampshire. The formal objectives of this research were to determine what effect, if any, two‐sided information on the potential advantages and disadvantages of marine aquaculture has on attitudes towards marine aquaculture and how prior familiarity with aquaculture moderates the effect of information. The findings from this study indicate that two‐sided information has a negative effect on attitudes, especially among individuals who are unsure of their level of familiarity with the issue. |
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Keywords: | Communication attitudes information open ocean aquaculture education |
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