Assessing high school students' perceptions and preferences for aquaculture versus wild‐caught seafood: The case of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi

An increasing population and demand for seafood have provoked a need to understand the factors affecting consumers' perceptions of aquaculture and wild‐caught seafood to ensure the sustainability of ocean resources. A survey was developed to assess Hawaiʻi's high school students' perceptions and preference for aquaculture and wild‐caught seafood using a cognitive mapping framework. The survey was administered to three high schools across urban, suburban, and rural areas of the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests, and mental modeling techniques the following results from the survey indicated that most students had some knowledge of aquaculture. Residence and gender demographics of students make a difference in their preference for aquaculture and wild‐caught seafood. Overall, the students indicated a higher preference for wild‐caught seafood as compared to aquaculture in terms of taste and the reverse is true for environmental impacts. However, rural residents and male students showed a significant preference for aquaculture seafood. The implications of this study provide the information needed to improve public perceptions of aquaculture and promote sustainable seafood practices and consumption. Furthermore, education focused on aquaculture can be introduced into school curricula to enhance their knowledge of environmental, health, and nutrition impacts.