Introduction and background
Aquaculture is pivotal in ensuring food security and nutrient supply to the world’s growing population.
The developments of the past decades, which led to farmed production surpassing capture fisheries in 2022 (SOFIA, 2024), have brought to light several challenges related to the sector’s sustainable development.
Among the most discussed issues is the need for diets that reduce dependency on raw materials directly “extracted” from nature, such as fishmeal and fish oil. Although plant-based ingredients have helped lower the trophic level of farmed species (Cottrell et al., 2021), adverse effects on fish health and growth, mainly due to anti-nutritional factors and nutrient imbalances, have been demonstrated (Krogdahl et al., 2010). Furthermore, their use has intensified competition for resources needed for direct human consumption and land and water usage (van Riel et al., 2023).
In the European context, where the Green Deal pursuits the ambitious goal of a climate-neutral continent by 2050, and specifically its core “Farm to Fork” strategy, which promotes a healthy, resilient, and transparent agri-food system, have significantly influenced current developments in the livestock and aquaculture sectors. In this regard, circular solutions such as the use of Processed Animal Proteins (PAPs) have attracted considerable interest, as they provide nutrient-rich ingredients, recover raw materials, and offer a local source of protein for animal feed, thereby reducing dependency on imported nutritional sources.
Consumers, who often lack detailed knowledge regarding the feeding practices of farmed animals (Popoff et al., 2017), play a crucial role in adopting these practices, as they are the end users of food products that embody all upstream decisions made along the supply chain. While recent studies on consumer acceptance of PAPs in aquafeeds have mainly focused on insect-derived sources, limited attention has been given to those obtained from poultry and pigs. Against this backdrop, the present study aims to investigate the variables and perceptions that influence the acceptance of such practices among consumers residing in Italy.
Methodology
The survey was conducted through a questionnaire administered using the CAWI method (Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing).
The questionnaire, divided into different sections and developed based on previous studies on the topic, was designed to qualitatively and quantitatively identify the factors influencing the perception and potential consumption of fish fed with PAPs derived from insects, poultry, and pigs. The included questions were selected to assess sociodemographic characteristics, subjective and objective knowledge, and consumption habits.
One of the strengths of this study is the use of a significant number of respondents, selected through stratified sampling based on population and gender, according to data provided by the Italian National Institute of Statistics. This approach aims to generalize findings to the broader national context regarding consumer perception.
Results
The results of this research will be compared with the existing literature, specifically with the findings from a previous study conducted by the authors (Dolfi et al., 2025 in press).
While Italian consumers have generally shown a low willingness to pay for fish fed with insect meal, the present study aims to compare different diets composition to understand consumer perceptions toward different circular practices.
Moreover, given the limited interest previously reported by consumers regarding sustainable farming practices, this study will also provide detailed insights into the reasons behind this attitude.
Acknowledgements
The study is part of the project “Aquainnova 2.0: nuovi mangimi per l’acquacoltura sostenibile e circolare” (CUP: J68H230008200001).
References
Cottrell RS, Metian M, Froehlich HE, et al. (2021) Time to rethink trophic levels in aquaculture policy. Reviews in Aquaculture 13: 1583-1593. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12535
Dolfi E, Masi M, Marrocco ES, et al. (2025 in press) Indirect Entomophagy: consumer willingness to pay toward fish fed with insect-based feed. AIMS Agriculture and Food.
Krogdahl Å, Penn M, Thorsen J, et al. (2010) Important antinutrients in plant feedstuffs for aquaculture: an update on recent findings regarding responses in salmonids. Aquaculture Research 41: 333-344. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2109.2009.02426.x
Popoff M, MacLeod M, Leschen W (2017) Attitudes towards the use of insect-derived materials in Scottish salmon feeds. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed 3: 131-138. https://doi.org/10.3920/jiff2016.0032
SOFIA. (2024). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024. In FAO eBooks. FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd0683en
van Riel A, Nederlof MAJ, Chary K, et al. (2023) Feed food competition in global aquaculture: Current trends and prospects. Reviews in Aquaculture: 1142-1158. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12804