A contingent valuation of the biomitigation benefits of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture in Canada |
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| Authors: | Roberto Martinez-Espiñeira Thierry Chopin Shawn Robinson Anthony Noce Duncan Knowler Winnie Yip |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Economics, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland &2. Labrador, Canada;3. Canadian Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture Network, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada;4. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, St. Andrews Biological Station, New Brunswick, Canada;5. Department of Economics and Finance, State University of New York at Plattsburgh, School of Business and Economics, Plattsburgh, New York, USA;6. School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada |
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| Abstract: | Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) is the farming, in proximity, of aquaculture species from different trophic levels and with complementary ecosystem functions. IMTA allows one species’ uneaten feed and wastes, nutrients, and by-products to be recaptured and converted into fertilizer, feed, and energy for the other crops. By taking advantage of synergistic interactions between species, IMTA can help aquaculture evolve towards more responsible and sustainable systems. This study uses data from a contingent valuation survey to provide an estimation of the non-use benefits that, in the form of biomitigation of the external costs imposed on the marine environment, would be derived by Canadians from the adoption of IMTA for Atlantic salmon aquaculture. We find the benefits accruing to households who do not purchase salmon habitually would range between about $43 million/year and about $65 million/year for the next five years, depending on the treatment of ‘don’t know’ responses to the payment question. |
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| Keywords: | Contingent valuation integrated multi-trophic aquaculture willingness to pay |
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