There is growing consumption of food eaten outside the home, alongside a lack of transparency about seafood, which can discourage consumption and increase the risks of mislabelling or fraud. Consumers are often willing to pay more and show increasing demand for clear, detailed menu information, such as species name, country of origin, production methods, packaging, processing methods, and ecolabels or sustainability certifications.
Although ecolabel use in restaurants remains limited, providing additional and more transparent information about seafood served or sold is of interest to consumers and has a significant positive effect on shaping their attitudes and choices.
Smart4Sea aims to identify stakeholders’ expectations and perceptions regarding seafood sustainability, as well as their trust in certifications and environmental traceability systems.
At Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), we are trying to answer the following research questions: What is the role of restaurants and supermarkets in promoting sustainable seafood consumption? What type of information would stakeholders and consumers expect from a digital platform about seafood products?
To gather input from seafood stakeholders, a focus groups study will be conducted in the 4 participating countries: Portugal, Spain, France and Ireland. A focus group is a moderated group interview designed to understand participants’ perceptions, attitudes and views on a specific topic. It is a useful research method because it encourages participants to share ideas and experiences and is relatively quick, easy, and cost-effective.
