Abstract

The rapid expansion of mussel aquaculture has delivered significant socioeconomic benefits but has also raised concerns about environmental impacts on local communities. This study examines how perceptions of these benefits and effects interact in Chile’s Los Lagos Region. Using survey data from residents of aquaculture-dependent municipalities and an ordered multivariate probit model, we find that individuals who recognize socioeconomic benefits are also more likely to acknowledge negative environmental impacts, suggesting cognitive consonance through the coexistence of perceived benefits and environmental trade-offs. However, those directly employed in the sector often exhibit cognitive dissonance, highlighting benefits while downplaying environmental impacts. These findings reveal both consistent and inconsistent patterns in the social acceptance of mussel aquaculture, underscoring the importance of accounting for cognitive and social mechanisms when advancing sustainable transformations in the industry.