Using Markets to Control Invasive Species: Lionfish in the US Virgin Islands

Authors

Skyler Simnitt, University of Florida
Lisa House, University of Florida
Sherry L. Larkin, University of FloridaFollow
Jennifer Sweeney Tookes, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Tracy Yandle, Emory University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2020

Publication Title

Marine Resource Economics

DOI

10.1086/710254

ISSN

2334-5985

Abstract

Invasive lionfish are affecting reef ecosystems along the Gulf Coast and Caribbean. By establishing commercial fisheries and harvesting lionfish in mass, it may be possible to reduce their ecological footprint in the region. Nonetheless, there has been little research assessing the viability of a consumer market for lionfish meat. Using data collected in the US Virgin Islands (USVI), this study examines individuals’ willingness to participate in a hypothetical market for lionfish meat and their potential consumption levels. Consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for lionfish meat is also estimated. Findings suggest that individuals’ market participation and consumption levels are correlated with concerns for food safety and the environment, and consumer WTP is compatible with dockside prices of other species of reef fish. These findings suggest that a latent demand structure for lionfish meat may already exist in the USVI and that the prospect of a commercial fishery is worth additional exploration.

Comments

© 2020 MRE Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Recommended Citation

Simnitt, Skyler, Lisa House, Sherry L. Larkin, Jennifer Sweeney Tookes, Tracy Yandle. 2020. "Using Markets to Control Invasive Species: Lionfish in the US Virgin Islands." Marine Resource Economics, Joshua K. Abbott (Ed.), 35 (4) Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press. doi: 10.1086/710254 source: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/710254?af=R
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/soc-anth-facpubs/166