Consumer preferences for seafood inform aquaculture development in the United Arab Emirates

Stated and revealed preferences for fish and attributes of fish products important to consumers and prospective aquaculture development in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were evaluated by consumer surveys, focus groups, key informant interviews, and sensory evaluation (taste, texture and overall liking). Consumers of seafood in the UAE prefer hamour (Epinephelus coiodes) and kanaad (Scomberomorus commerson) above all other species commonly offered at UAE retail outlets. These preferences, which guide consumer-appropriate aquaculture in the UAE, were similar among nationalities (Emiratis and other nationalities), purchasers of fish at seafood retailers, and consumers of fish at restaurants throughout the UAE. Fresh whole fish are preferred over fillets or frozen product because consumers can assess freshness and they consider whole fish to be better value for money. Among other product attributes shown to be important elsewhere, country of origin, wild vs cultured fish, and eco-labels were considered relatively unimportant by UAE respondents. Five prospective species for aquaculture were evaluated through sensory evaluation. Differing from stated preferences, barramundi (Lates calcarifer) (also marketed as Asian seabass) was clearly preferred as having superior taste, texture, and overall liking (over hamour; shaeri, Lethrinus nebulosus; safi, Siganus canaliculatus; and cobia, Rachycentron canadum). Of the candidate species, only hamour is successfully grown in the UAE albeit on a relatively small scale (< 1000 t annually). Prospects for increasing aquaculture production of fish in the UAE will most likely depend on recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) effectiveness as the harsh environmental conditions prohibit other grow out systems (e.g. pond culture).