The Demand for Eastern Oysters, Crassostrea virginica, from the Gulf of Mexico in the Presence of Vibrio vulnificus

California, in response to health concerns, initiated a program on 1 March 1991 which required anyone selling eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica, from the Gulf of Mexico area to notify potential consumers that there was a risk in consuming them raw. This mandatory warning, followed shortly thereafter by a similar warning in other states, including Louisiana and Florida, received extensive press cover-age throughout the country and particularly in the Gulf area. This paper examines the extent to which the demand for Gulf-area oysters has been reduced as a result of mandatory warning labels and negative publicity. In general, the results suggest that since 1991 the “summer” dockside price has been reduced by about 50% as a result of warning labels and associated negative publicity, while the “winter” dockside price has been reduced by about 30%

Analysis of United States and European Union Import Demand for Shrimp

Based on 1990-2004 quarterly data, U.S. and E.U. demand for imported shrimp by alternative supply sources was examined within an Almost Ideal Demand System framework. For the United States, supply sources included Central America, South America, and Asia. Supply sources for the European Union included Asia, South America, and Rest of World. All own-price elasticities for the U.S. system were found to be elastic while all own-price elasticities associated with the E.U. system were found to be inelastic. With few notable exceptions, estimated cross-price elasticities suggest substitution among import sources. Finally, shrimp of Asian origin were found to be highly expenditure elastic in the US market while shrimp of South American origin were found to be the same in the European market.Demand and Price Analysis,

The Southeast U.S.A. Shrimp Industry: Issues Related to Trade and Antidumping Duties

On December 31, 2003 a coalition representing Southeast U.S.A. shrimp harvesters and processors filed a petition with the U.S. International Trade Administration and the U.S. International Trade Commission seeking relief in the form of antidumping duties from what the coalition perceived as unfair trade practices by six countries—China, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Ecuador, and Brazil. After an exhaustive investigation, an affirmative finding of dumping and injury was found, and duties were imposed on subject merchandise from these six countries. This study examines the factors that led to the petition being filed, the investigation process, and the outcome associated with the imposition of antidumping duties. Overall, the study concludes that while the duties resulted in a limited amount of trade deflection, particularly among those countries assessed with higher duties, much of the protective effect that might have been forthcoming from restricting imports from the six named countries was eroded by trade diversion to countries not included in the petition.Antidumping duties, shrimp, trade, United States of America, Environmental Economics and Policy, International Relations/Trade, F13, Q17,

THE CONCEPT OF SUBSIDIES

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Dynamics of Heterogeneous Congestion Tolerance in the Location Choices of U.S. Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishermen

Location choice is one of the most important short-run decisions made by commercial fishermen. Previous studies of location choice by commercial fishermen have focused primarily on site fidelity, profit-maximization behavior, and risk attitudes as factors influencing their location choice behavior. Although the recreational literature gives extensive consideration to the influence of congestion on site selection, few studies have considered the influence of congestion tolerance on site selection in the commercial fishing sector. This study uses a mixed logit model to analyze the heterogeneous congestion tolerance in location choice among U.S. Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishermen. The dynamics of fishermen responses to economic conditions are compared and contrasted for two periods; the first period coinciding with relative economic stability in the industry and the second period coinciding with deteriorating economic conditions. Results suggest that congestion externalities have significant influence on the location choice of shrimp fishermen, but that congestion tolerance level differs among them. A better understanding of heterogeneous congestion tolerance should aid the implementation of management tools such as area closures.location choice, congestion, mixed logit, shrimp fishery, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

IMPACT OF INCREASING IMPORTS ON THE UNITED STATES SOUTHEASTERN REGION SHRIMP PROCESSING INDUSTRY 1973-1996

This study analyzes the effects of increased shrimp imports on the price-cost margins in three sectors of the U.S. shrimp industry. Results indicates decreasing price-cost margins for peeled shrimp, breaded shrimp, and headless-shell-on shrimp. The increase in shrimp imports reduces domestic processor prices for shrimp products, therefore decreasing processor margins.Demand and Price Analysis, International Relations/Trade,

Location Choice Behavior of Gulf of Mexico Shrimpers under Dynamic Economic Conditions

This study uses a mixed logit model to analyze monetary and nonmonetary factors that influence location choice behavior of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico shrimpers. Shrimpers’ responses to economic conditions are compared and contrasted for two periods related to changing economic conditions in the industry. Results show that even though shrimpers are generally revenue driven in choosing a fishing site, their past experience also plays an important role. Further, changes in economic conditions appear to exhibit an influence on the risk attitudes of some shrimpers.location choice, loyalty, mixed Logit, risk averse, shrimp fishery, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q2, L2,

The Gulf of Mexico Grouper Fisheries: Heterogeneous Fleet and Expectations in Fishermen's Decision

This study focuses on Gulf of Mexico Fishermen's expectations about their revenues and risks when participating in the grouper fishery using handlines or longlines. Results indicated that expected revenues follow a seasonnal and a spatial pattern. Fishermen using longline are risk averse while handliners are risk takers.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,