Due to the many ways seafood is sold and purchased in the US, it’s crucial that consumers be conscious of how their purchasing decisions can have an impactful on local economies and sustainable practices. When shopping online or in-person for fishery and processor products it is key that ethical and environmental responsible fisheries and processors are supported.
Though most retailers take sustainability and traceability considerations into account when purchasing seafood, there are unique challenges related to buying it that must be considered. As it’s perishable, seafood must travel long distances before reaching consumers – this could impact its quality and safety; so when purchasing seafood it’s essential to shop from local seafood markets with an established tracking system for their products throughout their supply chains.
The online seafood market has provided consumers with greater access to fresh, frozen, and canned options that may otherwise not be readily available in grocery stores or fish markets. Not only are consumers provided with more options when browsing and purchasing seafood online markets – often offering information regarding product origin as well as sustainable fishing practices – they are also often provided with details regarding where the product comes from and more sustainable fishing practices associated with each product.
However, while e-commerce provides opportunities for innovative approaches to seafood retailing, there can be challenges associated with selling perishable food online. Shipping costs and the need for high-quality packaging may act as barriers to successful seafood e-commerce transactions. Furthermore, consumers may have differing preferences and priorities when shopping for seafood that must also be taken into account when buying online.
Due to travel restrictions during a pandemic, conducting in-person interviews was no longer viable; telephone-based surveys tend to receive low response rates (Robertson 2004); while Qualtrics provided an easy and convenient means of collecting data that more closely reflected consumer behaviors than traditional surveys could.
Online seafood markets provide buyers with access to an expanded selection of fish and shellfish than can be found locally, including exotic and hard-to-find varieties. Furthermore, buyers can gain detailed information regarding source, sustainability practices, cooking tips, and source details that help make their sustainable seafood purchases. These benefits may be especially attractive to consumers in areas with limited seafood choices.
Online seafood markets can also be particularly helpful for consumers with dietary restrictions or allergies, like Fulton Fish Market’s seafood delivery service which allows users to customize a box with their favorite fish and shellfish; including or excluding certain species according to individual dietary needs. It can be an especially convenient solution for college students who may otherwise struggle to access local seafood due to transportation constraints; making maintaining a healthy seafood diet when moving or changing residence easier than before.