Effect of balanced information on attitudes towards open ocean aquaculture development in New England

Assessing public support for natural resource management initiatives requires an understanding of how information will affect public attitudes. Using the development of marine aquaculture in New England as a case study, an experimental design was used to investigate the effects of balanced information on attitudes. The moderating effects of familiarity on attitudes were also examined. Results indicate that balanced information has a negative effect on attitudes, especially among individuals who are unsure of their level of familiarity with the issue.