The article analyses risk perception in shellfish farming as well as farmers’ willingness to
rely on coverage mechanisms. Factor and econometric analyses (logit and ordered multinomial logit
models) have shown that a number of socio-economic factors specific to farmers and their
businesses contribute to defining their degree of risk perception and reliance on management tools.
Beyond the conventional self-protective mechanisms, the study will focus on farmers’ willingness
to rely on risk-transfer mechanisms that the market has so far failed to provide.