Analysis on qualitative safety control behaviors and influencing factors of mariculturists in Zhejiang Province

Mariculture production sector is the starting point for the qualitative safety (QS) control of mariculture industry. It is of great significance for the QS control level of mariculture to study the QS control behaviors and the influencing factors of mariculturists. Applying the theory of planned behaviors, this paper analyzed the QS control behaviors and the influencing factors of mariculturists by constructing an analytical framework and a structural equation model of mariculturists’ QS control behaviors in Ningbo and Taizhou. Results indicate that QS control behaviors are expressed as attending professional cooperatives, carrying out nuisanceless agro-food certification and promoting production technology training by the Government. In addition, QS consciousness of mariculturists has a positive significant influence on QS control behaviors. At the same time, the operation status, including the unit profit and whether mariculturists have their own aquaculture water areas, have negative significant influences on QS control behaviors. While the number of aquaculture species and the age of household head have significant negative influences on QS control behaviors. In summary, the main influencing factors of QS control behaviors include government’s managements, QS consciousness, and operation conditions. To improve the level of QC control for the aquaculture industry, this article provides the following suggestions, including strengthening government’s managements on QS of mariculturists, improving QS consciousness of mariculturists, and implementing differentiated strategies under different operation conditions.