A report on the sea otter, Enhydra lutris L., in California

This report discusses in detail findings and observations of 5 years of research on the sea otter population and its relationship to the nearshore marine environment in California. Initial efforts were directed at providing some relief to the commercial abalone fishery in the Cambria - Point Estero area north of Morro Bay. This fishery has subsequently collapsed along with other commercial and sport abalone and sport crab fisheries throughout the sea otter's range due to continued sea otter foraging. Capturing, tagging and translocation studies, censusing studies, examination of sea otter remains, habitat surveys, food habits observations and studies on otters in captivity provide a broad base of information on the expanding sea otter population in California and its effects on resources utilized by man. Recommendations for sea otter management consistent with esthetic, recreational, and commercial uses of marine resources are included in this report. (95pp.

ESTABLISHING AN AGRIBUSINESS STUDY-ABROAD COURSE IN MEXICO: A PROJECT IN INTERNATIONALIZING THE CURRICULUM

Study abroad provides students with a cross-cultural experience and a new perspective on the global marketplace. Seven students from the University of Georgia enrolled in the first agribusiness study-abroad course, entitled "International Agribusiness Marketing and Management: Focus on Mexico," at the Universidad Veracruzana in Xalapa during the Maymester 2000. Their curriculum included field trips to agribusinesses, Spanish classes and lectures on Mexican business culture, and NAFTA. As a result, students became more comfortable in cross-cultural environments and more confident in their academic and professional abilities.agribusiness, curriculum development, study abroad, Agribusiness, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

ESTABLISHING AN AGRIBUSINESS STUDY ABROAD COURSE IN MEXICO: A PROJECT IN INTERNATIONALIZING THE CURRICULUM

Study abroad provides students with a cross-cultural experience and a new perspective on the global market place. Seven students from the University of Georgia enrolled in an initial course entitled , International Agribusiness Marketing and Management: Focus on Mexico, at the University Veracruzana in Xalapa during the Maymester 2000. Their curriculum included field trips to agribusinesses, Spanish classes and lectures on Mexican business culture, and NAFTA. As a result, students became more comfortable in cross-cultural environments and confident in their abilities.Agribusiness, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

A review of California sea otter, Enhydra lutris, surveys

Recent surveys (1977 to 1983) of the sea otter, Enhydra lutris, in California were summarized and compared to past surveys, to evaluate the adequacy of current survey design and to-make inferences about current population status. Ground counts within selected index areas provided the best indicator of population trends. These data suggest a rather remarkable stability in the long-term occupied range. Rangewide aerial surveys with ground truth stations provided the best available data for estimating total population size. The most recent (1979) survey yielded a population estimate of approximately 1500 sea otters. Comparisons with past surveys suggest there have been no demonstrable changes in population size since at least 1976. (34pp.

A simulated translocation of sea otters, Enhydra lutris, with a review of capture, transport and holding techniques

A number of techniques and pieces of equipment judged necessary for the translocation of sea otters were field tested. Captures were accomplished with either a scuba diver operated capture device (Wilson trap), a surface set tangle net or a dip net. A portable floating pen proved very satisfactory for simultaneously holding at least ten otters for several days. Commercially available pet transport kennels, with the capability of holding water, were adequate for maintaining the otter's pelage in good condition during a transport of approximately five hours duration. Subsequent observations indicated no apparent stress related dispersal. (17pp.

An Analysis of the Hispanic Consumers' Demand for Food Eaten at Home

Replaced with revised version of paper 07/25/08.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

U.S. - MEXICO SUGAR DISPUTE: IMPACT OF NAFTA ON THE SUGAR MARKET

A side agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) enables Mexico to ship more duty-free sugar to the United States than under the pre-1994 restrictive country-specific, tariff-rate quota (TRQ) policy. But U.S. and Mexican negotiators disagree over the issue of exactly how much sugar Mexico can actually export to the U.S. under the NAFTA side agreement. Disagreement focuses on which version of the NAFTA side agreement governs this issue. The U.S. argues that a 1993 side letter limits Mexican sugar exports to the U.S. to 250,000 MT. In contrast, Mexico insists it is entitled to ship all of its surplus sugar, currently 600,000 MT, to U.S. Consequently, Mexico has asked for a dispute-settlement panel to resolve the question under NAFTA. Three TRQ liberalization scenarios were simulated to show the possible policy implications. The simulation results report that, due to the sugar TRQ liberalization with Mexico, the net U.S. social welfare increases but U.S. producers lose.International Relations/Trade,

U.S.-MEXICO SUGAR DISPUTE: IMPACT OF NAFTA ON THE SUGAR MARKET

A side agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) enables Mexico to ship more duty-free sugar to the United States than under the pre-1994 restrictive country-specific, tariff-rate quota (TRQ) policy. But U.S. and Mexican negotiators disagree over the issue of exactly how much sugar Mexico can actually export to the U.S. under the NAFTA side agreement. Disagreement focuses on which version of the NAFTA side agreement governs this issue. The U.S. argues that a 1993 side letter limits Mexican sugar exports to the U.S. to 250,000 MT. In contrast, Mexico insists it is entitled to ship all of its surplus sugar, currently 600,000 MT, to U.S. Consequently, Mexico has asked for a dispute-settlement panel to resolve the question under NAFTA. Three TRQ liberalization scenarios were simulated to show the possible policy implications. The simulation results report that, due to the sugar TRQ liberalization with Mexico, the net U.S. social welfare increases but U.S. producers lose.International Relations/Trade,

EXCHANGE RATE AND TRADE POLICY EFFECTS ON U.S. POULTRY EXPORT PRICES

The impact of the ruble devaluation on U.S. poultry meat exports to the Russian market was simulated as the combined effects of an export subsidy and a tariff on imports using the Global Trade Analysis Project model and data. Russian imports fell while domestic prices rose. U.S. poultry exports and dark meat prices declined.International Relations/Trade, Livestock Production/Industries,